Interlocking Ring Fastener for 360-Degree Bore Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining rings, such as spiral and multi-turn rings, face issues with providing reliable full circumference support and torsional stiffness, leading to instability and incomplete component securing due to thermal expansion and twisting.
Innovation Solution
A single-turn ring fastener with a discontinuous band featuring interlockable elongate finger members and a tongue member, which maintains a continuous circumference by accommodating radial and axial deflection, ensuring complete 360-degree support and stability through interlocking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single turn retaining ring is used, then the ring provides continuous circumference support, but thermal expansion causes the ends to move apart and opens the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is segmented into multiple finger members (at least three) that are spaced apart around the circumference. This segmentation allows the ring to accommodate thermal expansion by permitting relative movement between fingers while maintaining continuous engagement with the bore surface, thus preventing gap opening while preserving continuous support.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger members are designed to be deflectable relative to each other, transforming the rigid single-turn ring into a dynamic structure. This dynamic capability allows the ring to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction by enabling controlled movement between fingers, maintaining both reliability and stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a two or more turn retaining ring is used, then the ring eliminates the gap, but the material becomes thinner and reduces torsional stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple turns of thin material, the invention segments a single turn into multiple fingers. This maintains adequate material thickness for torsional stiffness while eliminating the continuous gap through the interlocking finger configuration, achieving both gap elimination and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a planar multi-turn structure to a three-dimensional single-turn multi-finger structure. By distributing fingers around the circumference and allowing radial deflection, it achieves gap elimination without requiring multiple turns, thereby preserving material thickness and torsional stiffness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a two or more turn retaining ring is used, then the ring eliminates the gap, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented finger design allows for simpler assembly compared to multi-turn rings. The fingers can be independently positioned and engaged, and the ring can be installed in a single turn rather than requiring multiple winding operations, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining gap elimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger members are pre-configured in the single-turn structure with predetermined spacing and deflection characteristics. This preliminary configuration simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for complex field adjustments or specialized installation equipment required by multi-turn rings.
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 provides reliable full circumference support, enhanced stability, and ease of assembly and manufacturing, while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring secure component mounting without requiring specialist equipment or skills.
Implementation Method 1
an open configuration wherein the first finger member is radially and/or axially deflected from its substantially aligned position, so that it is angled with respect to the circumferential surface of the band
Implementation Method 2
when the first finger member is then released, it can spring back to a position substantially aligned with a circumferential surface of the band
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a ring fastener (10) comprising a discontinuous band (11) having a first end (14) and a second end (16). The first end (14) comprises a pair of spaced-apart elongate finger members (15a,15b) (having a first finger member (15a) and a second finger member (15b)), and the second end (16) comprises an elongate tongue member (17). The finger members (15a,15b) and the tongue member (17) are interlockable, such that when interlocked, the band (11) comprises a continuous circumference. The ring fastener (10) further comprises a closed configuration wherein the finger members (15a,15b) and the tongue member (17) are substantially aligned with a circumferential surface (13) of the band (11); and an open configuration wherein the first finger member (15a) is radially and/or axially deflected from its substantially aligned position, so that it is angled with respect to the circumferential surface (13) of the band (11). The invention also describes a method of assembling a bore (40) and a component (42), and the use of such an assembly.