Pre-Cut Spacer Washer Assembly Without Threaded Rod Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spacer washers with centering rings interfere with threaded rods during assembly, making it difficult to position large parts relative to each other, and existing washers do not break during threaded rod insertion.

Innovation Solution

A pre-cut spacer element with a centering stud that breaks upon rod insertion, allowing easy assembly by positioning the parts first and then inserting the rods, and a spring ring to secure the spacer element in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a centering ring is used to position the spacer washer, then the spacer washer can be positioned correctly at the through holes, but the centering ring interferes with the threaded rod insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidthreaded rod insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer element is divided into two functional parts: a centering stud for positioning and a spacer washer for mechanical support. The centering stud is integral to the body during positioning but can be detached afterward, allowing the threaded rod to pass through without interference while maintaining positioning accuracy during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centering stud acts as a temporary intermediary element that facilitates correct positioning of the spacer element at the through hole before the threaded rod insertion. Once positioning is achieved, the centering stud is removed, allowing the threaded rod to be inserted smoothly without obstruction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If threaded rods are inserted first, then spacer washers can be positioned, but large parts cannot be positioned relative to each other before assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparts positioningVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The centering stud is pre-integrated into the spacer element body, allowing the spacer element to be positioned at the through hole before the threaded rod insertion. This preliminary positioning action enables large parts to be aligned correctly relative to each other before final assembly, improving both ease of operation and alignment accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If a non-detachable centering element is used, then positioning is maintained, but the element interferes with threaded rod insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering stud transitions from a fixed, integral state during positioning to a detachable state during threaded rod insertion. This dynamic characteristic allows the centering element to provide stable positioning when needed and be removed when no longer required, eliminating interference with threaded rod insertion while maintaining positioning stability during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4148289B1Pre-cut intermediate element for obtaining an intermediate washer positioned between parts of an assembly and method for assembling at least two parts using at least one such pre-cut intermediate element
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP4148289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP4148289B1 patent drawingFigure 6(A)~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an interlayer element for obtaining an interlayer washer positioned between the first and second parts (20, 22) of an assembly, characterized in that the interlayer element (28) comprises: - a body (30) having the same geometry as the interlayer washer (26) to be obtained and a circular pre-cutout (32), with a diameter equal to the inner diameter (Di26) of the interlayer washer (26) to be obtained and configured to break upon the insertion of a rod (24.3) of a connecting element (24), - a centering stud (38) configured to center the pre-cutout (32) with respect to through holes (20.3, 22.3) in the first and second parts (20, 22) intended to house the rod (24.3) of a connecting element (24) when said centering stud (38) is inserted into one of said through holes (20.3, 22.3). The invention also relates to an assembly method using said intercalated element (28).