Hollow-Pin Rod Connector for Different Diameter Rod Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rod connectors do not provide optimal performance with different diameter rods, requiring significant effort for effective engagement and locking.
Innovation Solution
A rod connector design featuring a hollow pin with a collar for abutment and a coil spring for biasing the rod engagement body against a tapered surface, providing lateral guidance and secure locking for rods of varying diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional solid pin design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot provide effective lateral guidance for different diameter rods
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow pin contains a smaller diameter rod within its hollow interior, creating a nested configuration where one component (the rod) is placed inside another (the pin). This nesting approach allows the pin to accommodate rods of varying diameters while maintaining a unified structural form, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin is divided into functionally distinct segments: the hollow receptacle portion for receiving smaller diameter rods and the collar portion for supporting larger diameter rods. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, enabling compatibility with different rod diameters without significantly complicating the overall structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If a hollow pin with collar is used, then lateral guidance for different diameter rods is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow pin with collar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lateral guidance for smaller diameter rods through its hollow receptacle, supports larger diameter rods via the collar, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality allows a single component to achieve precise lateral guidance for different rod types without requiring multiple separate parts, thereby improving manufacturing precision while keeping manufacturing relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If the pin and closure are separate parts, then assembly flexibility is improved, but assembly effort and potential for error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin and closure are merged into a single integral component, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing the number of parts. This integration maintains assembly flexibility while simplifying the overall device structure, reducing potential assembly errors, and improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity.
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 solution achieves particularly good lateral guidance and secure locking for different diameter rods, providing excellent performance at low effort, and enhancing reliability and durability through integral design and materials.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring for biasing the at least one rod engagement body against the tapered surface
Implementation Method 2
The housing has a tapered surface, which delimits the cavity, and which tapers towards the front end of the housing, for wedging the at least one rod engagement body against the rod
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Rod connector comprising a housing having a cavity for receiving a rod therein, wherein the cavity extends through the housing, from an open front end of the housing to a rear end of the housing, at least one rod engagement body, which is arranged within the cavity, wherein the housing has a tapered surface, which delimits the cavity, and which tapers towards the front end of the housing, for wedging the at least one rod engagement body against the rod, and a closure, which closes the cavity at the rear end of the housing, characterized in that the rod connector further comprises a pin, which projects from the closure into the cavity, wherein the pin is hollow so as to define a receptacle for receiving a smaller diameter rod, and wherein the pin comprises a collar which provides an abutment for a larger diameter rod.