Keyhole Coupling Pin Structure for High-Load Releasable Joining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration-damping couplings in mechanical systems, such as those used in internal combustion engines and electric motors, face limitations in holding forces due to their elastic material properties, leading to detachment issues under high mechanical loads, and current solutions either lack sufficient release forces or require destructive disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A coupling system featuring a coupling bolt with a tapered web and a holder with a non-flat keyhole surface, allowing for a combination of linear and pivoting movements to create a positive connection that withstands high mechanical loads, and can be released non-destructively by applying mechanical forces that exceed the material strength of the components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If vibration-damping couplings are used with elastic material properties, then vibration damping is improved, but holding forces are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidholding forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into two functional parts: a rigid coupling element for high holding forces and a separate vibration damping element. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromise - the rigid part provides mechanical strength while the damping element handles vibration absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling combines rigid material (for the coupling element) with vibration damping material (for the damping element) into a composite structure. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve high holding forces from the rigid material and effective vibration damping from the damping material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Force

If high extraction forces are achieved through inclined webs, then holding forces are improved, but the coupling becomes destructively locked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forcesVSAvoidreleasability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is segmented into a reusable coupling element and a sacrificial locking element (locking web). The locking web is designed to break or deform under excessive force, allowing the main coupling element to be released and reused while only the inexpensive locking web is replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking web is designed as a disposable component that absorbs the destructive force during release. When the coupling needs to be released, the locking web breaks or deforms, allowing the expensive coupling element to be saved and reused while only the cheap locking web is replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Force

If rigid coupling elements are used for high mechanical loads, then holding forces are improved, but vibration damping is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forcesVSAvoidvibration damping
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is segmented into a rigid coupling element for force transmission and a separate vibration damping element. This allows the rigid part to maintain high holding forces while the separate damping element compensates for the lack of vibration absorption in the rigid component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a composite structure combining rigid material in the coupling element with vibration damping material in the damping element. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of high mechanical strength and effective vibration damping through material combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3096025B1Coupling consisting of coupling pin and holder, and method for joining a first and second component using the coupling
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 BOLLHOFF VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3096025B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3096025B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3096025B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Coupling, with which a first B1 and a second component B2 can be connected to one another, which has the following features: a coupling bolt, which comprises a fastening end, a holding head and a support section arranged between them, in which the holding head and the support section have an opposite holding head are connected to each other by a tapered web and the fastening end can be fastened to the first component B1, a holder with a keyhole and a contact area in which an edge of the keyhole encloses a non-planar surface, the coupling bolt can be locked in a form-fitting manner via a plug-and-swivel movement in the keyhole and the holder can be fastened to the second component B2 via a fastening structure.