Planetary Gear Joint Fastening for Composite Torque Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in the automotive industry is to efficiently fasten or assemble lightweight, high-strength composite materials without causing damage from high clamping forces typically required for high torque applications, particularly in bolted joints involving unthreaded components.
Innovation Solution
A joint system utilizing a dashed threaded fastener with planetary gears and a circumferential support rail, which reduces clamping force by allowing rotational movement and gear interaction, enabling efficient assembly of components with reduced torque and shear forces through a specific gear ratio and design that prevents relative rotation between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high clamping force is applied to achieve high torque in bolted joints, then the joint strength is improved, but the composite material components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a planetary gear mechanism as an intermediary between the dashed threaded fastener and the components. This gear system acts as a mediator that transforms the rotational motion and force transmission, allowing torque to be applied without directly transmitting high clamping forces to the composite material components, thus protecting them from damage while maintaining joint strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of force transmission by introducing a gear ratio in the planetary gear system. This parameter change allows the conversion of high torque into controlled rotational movement, reducing the clamping force parameter that directly acts on the composite components, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high torque and preventing material damage
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional threaded fasteners are used in composite materials, then assembly is simplified, but the high clamping force damages the composite structure
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear mechanism serves as an intermediary device that maintains the simplicity of the fastening operation while protecting the composite structure. The gear system automatically engages and controls the force transmission during the assembly process, providing protection without complicating the manufacturing procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic planetary gear mechanism that adapts during the assembly process. The gears engage and disengage based on the assembly progress, providing active protection against damage while maintaining ease of manufacture through automatic operation rather than requiring complex manual control
3Stability of the object's composition
If high torque is applied to prevent relative rotation between components, then joint stability is improved, but shear forces increase and may damage components
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear mechanism acts as an intermediary that decouples the relationship between torque application and shear force generation. By introducing the gear system, the patent enables joint stability to be achieved through controlled rotational engagement rather than direct high-shear force application, thus maintaining stability while reducing harmful shear forces on components
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
This solution effectively reduces axial clamping force and shear forces during high torque coupling, allowing for efficient assembly of unthreaded components with reduced risk of damage, by enabling the second fastener to form its own thread and preventing relocation of assembled components.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one planetary gear with the second fastener may interact with the dashed threaded fastener and the circumferential support rail via corresponding gear teeth
Data Source
AI summary
A joint system is provided that includes a dashed threaded fastener and a first fastener with a threaded aperture. The first fastener has at least one planetary gear with a second fastener on a surface thereof directed toward the dashed threaded fastener and a circumferential support rail. The planetary gear is disposed between the dashed threaded fastener and the circumferential support rail such that the planetary gear is rotatable round its axis. The dashed threaded fastener is configured to conduct a rotational movement such that the dashed threaded fastener moves along its axis through the first fastener. The planetary gear and the circumferential support rail rotate simultaneously in an opposite direction to the rotational movement of the dashed threaded fastener.