Flexible Ring Assembly Mechanism for Misaligned O-Ring Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible ring fitting devices are limited to fitting O-rings into workpieces of a specific diameter and struggle with misalignment of the axial center of rotation and the workpiece, making them inflexible in accommodating various diameters and positional discrepancies.
Innovation Solution
A flexible ring fitting device with a mechanism comprising a rotating arm portion, an elastic body, and an inclined surface, allowing for adjustable fitting by moving the arm portion to align with the workpiece's surface and applying a controlled pressing force, enabling the fitting of O-rings into annular grooves of different diameters and misaligned centers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rod-shaped member rotates along the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece with a fixed axial center, then the O-ring can be fitted into the groove, but the device can only accommodate workpieces of one specific diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The arm portion is made movable relative to the rotating portion main body through a guide groove, allowing the arm to dynamically adjust its position radially. This dynamic adjustment enables the arm to follow the outer peripheral surface of workpieces with different diameters, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the rotating portion main body provides rotational motion, while the arm portion with diameter-direction movability handles radial adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving multi-diameter adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If the axial center of rotation of the arm portion coincides with the axial center of the workpiece, then the O-ring fitting is precise, but it becomes difficult to fit O-rings when centers are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The arm portion's ability to move in the diameter direction allows it to dynamically compensate for center misalignment. When the workpiece center is misaligned, the arm automatically adjusts its radial position to maintain proper contact with the outer peripheral surface, preserving fitting precision despite center offset
Solution Approach 2:
The arm portion self-adjusts its position through the guide groove mechanism to follow the workpiece contour. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for precise center alignment, as the arm automatically compensates for misalignment during the fitting operation
3Reliability
If the arm portion presses the O-ring with excessive force, then the O-ring is firmly fitted, but the O-ring may be damaged or deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic body changes its force output parameter dynamically based on the workpiece diameter and arm position. As the arm moves to different positions along the guide groove, the elastic body's compression state changes, automatically adjusting the pressing force to an appropriate level that ensures reliable fitting without causing damage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively fits O-rings into workpieces with varying diameters and misaligned centers by using the elastic body's expansion and contraction to adjust the arm's position and apply a gentle pressing force, ensuring smooth and secure fitting without excessive force.
Implementation Method 1
the expansion and contraction of the elastic body, for the arm portion to fit the flexible ring into the annular groove of the workpiece with an appropriate pressing force
Data Source
AI summary
The flexible ring fitting device includes a flexible ring disposition mechanism 10 for disposing a flexible ring R relative to an annular groove G of a workpiece W and flexible ring assembly mechanisms 421 and 422 including an arm portion 424 rotating while pushing the flexible ring R along the outer periphery of the workpiece W. The flexible ring assembly mechanisms 421 and 422 are movable with respect to the workpiece W and include an elastic body 51 urging the arm portion 424 of the flexible ring assembly mechanisms 421 and 422 so as to press the arm portion 424 with respect to the workpiece W.