Deforming Device with Lever and Threaded Shaft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for deforming surfaces, such as those in manufacturing, often require high input forces and lack the ability to make fine adjustments, especially when dealing with strong materials like metal alloys.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a lever and a threaded shaft, which provides a mechanical advantage by allowing a low input force to result in a high output force, enabling easier deformation and fine adjustments of surfaces through a lock and key engagement mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional methods are used to deform surfaces, then deformation can be achieved, but high input forces are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput forceVSAvoidease of deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deformation device as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the surface to be deformed. This device includes a first fitting coupled to the surface, a shaft connected to the fitting, and a lever with a threaded shaft that provides mechanical advantage. The intermediary device amplifies the input force through its mechanical structure, allowing operators to deform surfaces with significantly reduced effort while maintaining precise control over the deformation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If high force is applied to deform strong materials, then deformation is achieved, but fine adjustments become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial strengthVSAvoidadjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the lever can be positioned at various angles relative to the shaft, and the threaded shaft can be rotated to precisely control the deformation force. This dynamic system allows operators to apply high force when needed while maintaining the ability to make fine adjustments by simply changing the lever position or threaded shaft rotation, thus resolving the contradiction between handling strong materials and achieving precise adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If mechanical advantage is provided through lever and threaded shaft, then input force is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput forceVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the deformation device with multi-functional components that reduce overall complexity. The shaft serves multiple functions: it connects the lever to the surface, provides a rotational axis for the lever, and houses the threaded shaft mechanism. The lever both provides mechanical advantage and serves as a handle for operation. By making components multi-functional, the patent achieves significant force reduction through mechanical advantage while minimizing the number of separate parts and overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 apparatus significantly reduces the required input force for deformation, providing a mechanical advantage of up to 4:1, making it easier to deform strong materials and allowing for precise adjustments, while also enabling displacement without deformation with lower input forces.

Implementation Method 1

The actuator includes a shaft, a second fitting, a lever, a threaded shaft, and a third fitting... The apparatus is operable to displace the first surface relative to the second surface when the threaded shaft is manually displaced relative to the second threaded aperture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Implementation Method 2

The use of a lever in combination with a threaded shaft may provide a mechanical advantage, making deformation easier to accomplish. For example, the combination of a lever and a threaded shaft may require a low input force while still resulting in a high output force.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

The actuator includes a shaft, a second fitting, a lever, a threaded shaft, and a third fitting... The first end of the lever is coupled to a second end of the shaft using a linkage component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP2944389B1Apparatus and method for deforming a surface
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP
  • EP2944389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2944389B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2944389B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus includes a first fitting (101) and an actuator (120). The first fitting (101) is operable to be coupled to a first surface (111) to be deformed. The actuator (120) includes a second fitting (104), a third fitting (107), a lever (105), a shaft (102), and a threaded shaft (106). The second fitting (104) is operable to be coupled to a second surface (103). The third fitting (107) is operable to be coupled to the second surface (103). The lever (105) includes a first end (112) and a second end (113). The lever (105) is operable to be coupled to the second fitting (104) proximate to the first end (112) of the lever (105). The shaft (102) is operable to be coupled to the first fitting (101) and is further operable to be coupled through the second fitting (104) to the lever (105) proximate to the first end (112) of the lever (105). The threaded shaft (106) is operable to couple the third fitting (107) to the lever (105) proximate to the second end (113) of the lever (105).