Plug-in Coupling with Inclined Retaining Webs for Ball Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in couplings are not suitable for connecting large, rigid, heavy components as they fail to maintain stability under mechanical vibrations, often releasing uncontrolled and requiring destructive disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in coupling design featuring a one-piece plastic coupling element with an annular base and inclined retaining webs that allow for secure engagement and non-destructive release of a ball pivot, utilizing a socket-like holding structure with a centrally arranged support element and radial guide webs for enhanced mechanical resilience and detachability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plug-in coupling uses inclined webs to lock the ball head behind webs for mechanical load resistance, then the connection strength is improved, but the coupling becomes destructively locked and requires destruction to release
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining webs are designed to change their functional state dynamically: during insertion they pivot to lock the ball head, providing strong mechanical locking; during removal they can be actuated to pivot back and release the ball head. This dynamic behavior allows the same structure to provide both strong connection and easy detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining structure is divided into multiple independent retaining webs that can be individually actuated. This segmentation allows selective engagement and disengagement of locking elements, enabling controlled detachment while maintaining strong connection during normal operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a plug-in coupling uses elastic material and ball head mobility to dampen vibrations, then vibration damping is improved, but the coupling becomes unstable for heavy rigid components under mechanical vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling employs different material properties and structural characteristics in different regions: the ball head interface allows controlled mobility for vibration damping, while the retaining webs and mounting structures provide rigid mechanical locking for stability. This local differentiation of properties enables both vibration damping and connection stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling design changes the degree of freedom and mobility parameters of the ball head based on operational requirements. During normal operation, limited mobility is permitted for vibration damping; under high-load conditions, the retaining structure engages to constrain movement and ensure stability.
3Ease of operation
If a plug-in coupling uses two ball sockets in series for pre-assembly and final attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection becomes unreliable for heavy components as it releases uncontrolled under vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of multi-stage attachment and implements it through a single ball head engagement with retaining webs. The retaining webs provide the progressive locking action in a single engagement, eliminating the need for multiple ball sockets while maintaining assembly ease and connection reliability.
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 design provides a mechanically resilient and reliably detachable connection for heavy components, capable of withstanding mechanical vibrations without destructive release, ensuring secure attachment and easy disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of retaining webs formed on one side of the annular base element, which resiliently protrude radially inwards and inclined in a direction of insertion of the ball pivot into the coupling element
Implementation Method 2
the first web section and the second web portion are arranged at an obtuse angle to one another
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coupling element (20) for detachably connecting a first component (B1) to a second component (B2). The coupling element has an annular base element (22) with a fastening structure (30) on a radial outer surface. Furthermore, the base element comprises a cup-shaped retaining structure (40) on a radial inner surface. The cup-shaped retaining structure (40) includes a centrally arranged support element (42) and a plurality of retaining webs (44, 46) integrally formed on one side of the annular base element (22). The retaining webs (44, 46) have at least a first (44) and a second web section (46). The first web section (44) forms an angle α with an axis of symmetry S of the coupling element (20) from a range of 45°≤ α ≤ 90° and the first web section (44) and the second web section (46) are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other.