Pin-and-Plug Clamping for Concentric Gap-Free Hole Joining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamping devices struggle to align parts with holes concentrically and often result in joints with gaps, especially when using traditional clamps with straps.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device comprising a pin with a head and a rod, and a plug with a hollow area and locking teeth, allowing for the alignment and secure joining of parts with holes, ensuring concentricity and gap-free joints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional clamps with straps are used to join parts, then the joining operation is simple, but the parts cannot be aligned concentrically and gaps occur in the joint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining operation simplicityVSAvoidconcentric alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is divided into two separate functional components: a pin with rack that passes through aligned holes to establish concentricity, and a plug with locking teeth that secures the connection. This segmentation allows the alignment function and clamping function to be performed independently and sequentially, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pin with rack is inserted first to establish the concentric alignment of the holes before the plug is engaged. This preliminary alignment action ensures that the holes are properly positioned before the final clamping occurs, preventing gaps and ensuring precision while maintaining simple operation through sequential steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If traditional clamps with straps are used to join parts, then the joining operation is simple, but gaps occur in the joint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining operation simplicityVSAvoidjoint stability without gaps
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the alignment function (pin with rack) from the clamping function (plug with locking teeth), the device ensures that concentric alignment is established before clamping occurs. This prevents gaps from forming in the joint while keeping the overall operation simple through sequential execution of the two functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rack on the pin acts as an intermediary mechanism between the hole alignment and the final clamping. As the pin is inserted through the holes, the rack engages with the locking teeth in the plug, mediating the transition from alignment to secure clamping, thereby eliminating gaps while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If screws and nuts are used for traditional connection, then the joint is secure, but the method is more expensive and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint securityVSAvoidconnection method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pin and plug are designed to work together as an integrated clamping system where the rack on the pin engages with the locking teeth in the plug. This merging of alignment and clamping functions into a single device reduces complexity compared to separate screws and nuts, while maintaining joint security through the interlocking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential functions of alignment and clamping from the complex screw-and-nut system and combines them into a simpler pin-and-plug mechanism. The rack-and-teeth engagement provides the necessary security without requiring multiple separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If screws and nuts are used for traditional connection, then the joint is secure, but the method is more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pin and plug are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be manufactured at lower cost than screws and nuts. The rack-and-teeth engagement provides sufficient security for the application while using simpler geometry and fewer materials, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining joint reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

By combining alignment and clamping functions into a single integrated device, the invention reduces the total number of components required compared to screws and nuts. This merging reduces material costs, assembly costs, and manufacturing complexity, thereby lowering overall manufacturing cost while maintaining joint security through the interlocking rack and teeth mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4686836A1Clamping device for joining parts with a hole
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 GA MOLDES LDA
  • EP4686836A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4686836A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4686836A1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a clamping device (1) for joining any parts with a hole (4), characterized by comprising a pin (2) and a plug (3), by the pin comprising a head and a rod equipped with rack and by the plug being equipped with a hollow area and this hollow area being equipped with locking teeth.