Pre-Assembled Connecting Element for Loss-Safe Friction Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction-increasing connections in machine, plant, and motor vehicle construction face challenges such as loss of connecting elements during assembly, difficulty in detection, and increased costs due to complex handling and coating processes, which can lead to safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A process for pre-assembling a connecting element to a first component part using a fixing element with elastic compressible properties, ensuring secure attachment and detection, without the need for additional surface modifications or complex handling, and maintaining the coefficient of static friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual insertion of thin connecting elements is used, then assembly is possible, but risk of loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is pre-assembled to one component part before the actual assembly operation. This preliminary attachment ensures the element cannot be lost during handling or insertion, as it is already secured to a component. The pre-assembly process attaches the element to the first component part, and then this pre-assembled unit is inserted as a complete package into the final connection position.
2Reliability
If chemical nickel coating is applied to increase friction, then holding force improves, but detectability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is provided with a color coating that differs from the chemical nickel coating of the component parts. This color difference makes the connecting element visually detectable and distinguishable from the metallic components, allowing assembly personnel to easily identify its presence and position without affecting the friction-increasing function of the chemical nickel layer.
3Reliability
If welding is used for pre-assembling, then secure attachment is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A temporary fixing element is introduced as an intermediary means to achieve secure attachment during pre-assembly. This fixing element serves as a mediator that temporarily holds the connecting element in position without requiring permanent welding. After the pre-assembly is complete, the fixing element is removed, having fulfilled its purpose of enabling secure handling and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that is used only temporarily during the pre-assembly process. It is inexpensive to produce and dispose of, making it economically viable to use for securing the connecting element during manufacturing and transport, then discard it after its temporary function is complete.
4Reliability
If adhesive coating is used for pre-assembling, then attachment is achieved, but additional production steps increase cost
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical fixing element is used as an intermediary to achieve attachment without requiring adhesive coating. This fixing element provides temporary mechanical attachment through features like protrusions fitting into recesses or clamp-like structures, eliminating the need for additional adhesive application steps while still achieving secure attachment during pre-assembly.
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 process securely fixes the connecting element to the component part, preventing loss and ensuring operational safety, while reducing costs and handling complexities, and maintains the coefficient of static friction, enabling efficient frictional coupling of components.
Implementation Method 1
the first portion of the fixing element has elastically compressible properties, and wherein the second portion of the fixing element has compressible properties
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a process for pre-assembling a connecting element to a first component part, and to a process for frictionally-coupling a first and a second component part.The present disclosure further relates to a frictional connection comprising a first component part and a second component part and a connecting element, and to the use of said frictional connection to connect a first component part and a second component part to be joined in machine, plant and motor vehicle construction and energy generation.