Retaining Ring Mounting Jig for Direct Second-Groove Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring mounting methods struggle to efficiently mount metal retaining rings with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft's end portions into the second groove without initially mounting them into the first groove, requiring excessive force and time, and often result in the ring being fitted into the wrong groove.
Innovation Solution
A ring mounting jig comprising a ring expanding jig with a tapered surface, a shaft fixing jig, a ring pushing jig with elastic portions, and a ring fitting jig, which allows the retaining ring to be expanded radially and inserted into the second groove from the first end portion without initial engagement with the first groove, utilizing the elastic deformation of the ring pushing jig to facilitate the expansion and positioning of the retaining ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal retaining ring with inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft end portions is mounted using conventional methods, then the ring can be mounted into the groove, but excessive force and time are required, and the ring often fits into the wrong groove first
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is preliminarily expanded using the ring expanding jig before mounting, so that its inner diameter becomes larger than the outer diameter of the shaft end portion. This preliminary expansion allows the ring to be mounted into the correct groove without first fitting into the wrong groove, eliminating the need for excessive force and reducing mounting time
Solution Approach 2:
The ring expanding jig acts as an intermediary tool that temporarily changes the dimensions of the retaining ring. By inserting the small diameter end of the expanding jig into the retaining ring and utilizing the tapered surface, the ring's inner diameter is increased to facilitate proper mounting into the groove
2Reliability
If excessive force is applied to mount the retaining ring into the groove, then the ring can be forced into place, but the mounting process becomes dangerous and requires high technical skill
Solution Approach 1:
The inner diameter parameter of the retaining ring is changed by expanding it with the ring expanding jig. This parameter change allows the ring to be mounted without excessive force, eliminating safety risks and the need for high technical skill while ensuring mounting success
3Ease of operation
If the ring is mounted by sliding it along the shaft from the first end portion, then the ring can reach the second groove, but it first fits into the first groove which is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is preliminarily expanded before the sliding mounting process. This preliminary expansion ensures that the ring's inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft end portion, allowing it to skip the first groove and be mounted directly into the correct second groove while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft has asymmetric groove positioning with the second groove located at the second end portion. By expanding the ring preliminarily, the mounting process exploits this asymmetric configuration to ensure the ring reaches and fits into the correct groove without being trapped in the first groove
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
Enables efficient and safe mounting of metal retaining rings into the second groove without the need for excessive force or high technical skill, reducing the risk of incorrect placement and shortening the mounting time, thereby improving the safety and efficiency of the process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic portions 134 which are formed between the plurality of divided grooves 133 and are elastically deformable in a radial direction of the main body portion 131
Implementation Method 2
a tapered surface 113 that connects the small diameter end 111 and the enlarged portion 112
Data Source
AI summary
The ring mounting jig is a ring mounting jig for mounting a retaining ring made of metal having a first end portion, a second end portion having an outer diameter larger than that of the first end portion, and a first groove and a second groove provided in a circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface of each of the first end portion and the second end portion, to the second groove on a shaft having the first end portion and the second end portion, without mounting a retaining ring made of metal having an inner diameter before expansion smaller than an outer diameter of the first end portion to the first groove from the first end portion. The ring mounting jig includes a ring expanding jig, a shaft fixing jig, a ring pushing jig, and a ring fitting jig.