Pre-Mounting Sleeve Locking for Pin-Shaped Connecting Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening means for pre-assembling pin-shaped connecting elements in through-openings of components are costly to manufacture and require complex machining steps, as they often rely on outwardly and inwardly projecting locking lugs that can cause chip formation and necessitate additional machining to secure the fastener.

Innovation Solution

A fastening means featuring a cylindrical sleeve with a recess in its outer wall, allowing a projection from the through-opening to engage during pre-assembly, providing a large contact surface for secure holding without tilting, and utilizing inwardly projecting indentations for frictional locking, eliminating the need for outwardly projecting lugs and subsequent machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If outwardly and inwardly projecting locking lugs are used to secure the fastener, then the fastener can be held securely in the through-hole, but the machining process becomes more complex and chip formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of fastenerVSAvoidmachining complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex outwardly projecting locking lugs from the fastener design. Instead, it uses a simple cylindrical sleeve with inwardly directed retaining elements that engage with the connecting element, eliminating the need for complex machining operations and chip removal while maintaining secure holding capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using outwardly projecting locking lugs that engage with external features, the patent inverts the approach by using inwardly directed retaining elements within the sleeve that engage with the connecting element itself, providing secure holding without external complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If outwardly projecting retaining elements are used to prevent axial displacement, then the fastening device is securely positioned, but additional machining operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial positioning stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates outwardly projecting retaining elements that would require additional machining. The sleeve is inserted into the through-hole without requiring any machining of the hole edges, as the inwardly directed retaining elements provide sufficient positioning and securing functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve design allows the connecting element itself to provide the positioning function through the inwardly directed retaining elements, eliminating the need for separate outwardly projecting elements and additional machining operations on the component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a step is provided in the bore to prevent sleeve slippage, then the sleeve position is controlled, but the bore becomes more complex to machine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesleeve position controlVSAvoidbore complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the step feature from the bore design. The sleeve is designed to be inserted directly into a simple through-hole without requiring any steps or complex features in the bore, while still achieving controlled positioning through the interaction between the sleeve and connecting element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design enables secure, cost-effective pre-assembly of connecting elements with reduced risk of chip formation and simplified production, allowing through-holes to be produced without additional machining, with the fastener securely held in any position and capable of axial movement without being pulled out.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of inwardly projecting retaining elements (4) on the inside of the sleeve (3), with which the inserted connecting element is held securely

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3607214B1Securing means and system for pre-mounting a pencil-shaped connecting element
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 HONSEL UMFORMTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3607214B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to securing means for pre-mounting pen-shaped connecting means in a through-opening (1) of a component (2), the connecting means comprising a sleeve (3) and a plurality of inwardly projecting retaining elements (4) on the inner side (5) of the sleeve (3), and a recess (7) accommodated in an outer wall of the sleeve (3) for securely locking an attachment (8) located in the through-opening (1) during pre-assembly.