Receiving Sleeve with Axial Compensating Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices with elongate fastening elements of different diameters experience play when engaging, as they are not adaptable to varying cross-sections, particularly with smaller diameters.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of at least one compensating element within the receiving sleeve that can be displaced in the longitudinal direction, allowing the sleeve's cross-section to adjust to different fastening element diameters, ensuring play-free engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed receiving sleeve is used to enclose fastening elements, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but fastening elements with different diameters engage with play and the connection is unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidreceiving sleeve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving sleeve is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic one by incorporating compensating elements that can move axially. These compensating elements adjust the inner diameter of the receiving sleeve based on the diameter of the inserted fastening element, eliminating play while maintaining connection stability. The dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the sleeve to adapt to different fastening element sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size sleeves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inner diameter parameter of the receiving sleeve is made variable through the compensating elements. When a fastening element is inserted, the compensating elements shift axially to change the effective inner diameter of the sleeve, ensuring optimal fit for different fastening element diameters. This parameter change eliminates play between the sleeve and fastening element while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the receiving sleeve is made adaptable to different fastening element diameters, then connection stability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different diametersVSAvoidreceiving sleeve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving sleeve is segmented into a outer sleeve portion and one or more compensating elements that can move independently within the sleeve. This segmentation allows the compensating elements to adjust the inner diameter dynamically while the outer sleeve maintains its structural integrity. The segmented design enables adaptability to different fastening element diameters without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compensating elements are nested within the receiving sleeve, with each compensating element capable of moving independently. This nested arrangement allows multiple adjustment mechanisms to be compactly integrated within the sleeve structure, providing adaptability to different fastening element diameters while minimizing the increase in device complexity. The nested design enables space-efficient accommodation of the adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If compensating elements are added to adjust the cross-section, then play-free engagement is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The compensating elements are designed as flexible or elastically deformable components that can be compressed or expanded radially. This flexibility allows them to adapt to different fastening element diameters while maintaining simple manufacturing processes. The elastic properties of these thin-walled components enable play-free engagement without requiring complex assembly procedures, as they can be easily installed and will self-adjust to the appropriate configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2507520B1Fastening device and attachment part having a fastening device
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 A RAYMOND & CO SCS
  • EP2507520B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2507520B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2507520B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening device (1) having equalization elements (25, 26), which are movable in the longitudinal direction of a receiving sleeve (16) for adjustment to different diameters of oblong fastening elements (27) such as coarse thread bolts, which hold the fastening element (27) substantially without play in the receiving sleeve (16) in dependence on the diameter of the respective fastening element (27).