Pin Clamp Fixation with Locking Ring and Pin Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixation arrangements between joint pins and pin clamps in mechanical engineering applications face issues such as loose locking rings, damage from welding, limited lubrication access, and safety concerns due to complex assembly requirements and potential human error, especially under dynamic loads.
Innovation Solution
A fixation arrangement using a locking ring, pin clamp, and pin collar where pin teeth engage with sockets, and a circular recess in the pin collar ensures the locking ring is uniformly loaded, preventing loosening and allowing easy removal and insertion, while also enabling lubrication access through the pin clamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a locking ring is used to fix the pin clamp to the pin, then the pin clamp can be removed and reinstalled, but the locking ring may become loose or fail under dynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
A pin collar is introduced as an intermediary component between the locking ring and the pin clamp. The pin collar distributes the loads from the pin clamp evenly onto the locking ring, preventing stress concentration and reducing the risk of locking ring failure under dynamic loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin collar is pre-installed on the pin before the locking ring is placed. This preliminary positioning ensures that the locking ring is correctly located and properly supported from the beginning, preventing misalignment and reducing assembly errors.
2Strength
If welding is used to fix the pin clamp to the pin, then the connection is strong and permanent, but it causes secondary stresses and damages thermally treated pin surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical fastening system consisting of a locking ring and pin collar. This mechanical system provides strong connection strength while avoiding the thermal effects that cause secondary stresses and damage to thermally treated pin surfaces.
3Device complexity
If the pin clamp is closed in the middle, then the structure is simple, but lubrication of the joint through the pin is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The pin clamp structure is segmented with openings that allow lubrication access while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The pin collar and locking ring mechanism remains straightforward, but strategic openings are provided to enable lubrication of the joint through the pin.
4Device complexity
If the locking ring operates in a narrow area under cutting and bending forces, then the design is compact, but fatigue cracks develop reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The pin collar acts as a load-distributing intermediary between the pin clamp and locking ring, spreading cutting and bending forces over a larger area. This reduces stress concentration on the locking ring, preventing fatigue crack initiation and extending service life while maintaining compact design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Present invention relates to a fixation arrangement of a joint pin 1 and a pin clamp 2 comprising a pin 1 and pin clamp 2 fixed to head 3 of the pin 1. To the head 3 of the pin 1 at least one pair of pin teeth 6 are formed, which are symmetric to the longitudinal axis of the pin 1 and which in the working condition engage recesses 6 in the pin clamp 2. For fixing a pin clamp 2 to the head 3 of the pin 1, a groove 12 is formed onto the outer surface 10 of the pin 1 for receiving locking ring 11, where said groove 12 is situated also in the outer surface 10 of the pin teeth 6. In the working condition in the groove 12 in outer surface 10 of the pin 1 a locking ring 11 is placed, which is enveloped by pin collar 13, which includes a circular recess 14 for receiving locking ring 11.