Rotating Protrusion Coupling Mechanism for Durable Low-Friction Joining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing member coupling mechanisms in gas chromatographs face issues with reduced durability and slidability due to wear of protrusions made from materials like stainless steel, leading to increased force requirements for rotation.
Innovation Solution
A member coupling mechanism with a rotatable protrusion that moves along a stepped portion during rotation, reducing friction and ensuring both durability and slidability without the need for resin pins, using high-hardness metallic materials like stainless steel and surface treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pin made of resin is press-fitted into a hole to form a protrusion, then the sliding property is improved, but the durability is reduced due to local deformation and low intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from resin to metal (e.g., stainless steel), and changes the structural parameter by making the protrusion rotatable. This resolves the contradiction by providing both the durability of metal and the sliding property through rotational movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the protrusion rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate in the circumferential direction during sliding along the stepped portion. This dynamic capability maintains low friction and good sliding property while using durable metal material.
2Reliability
If metallic material is used for the protrusion, then the durability is improved, but the sliding property reduces due to wear with increased usage
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is designed to rotate during operation, transforming the sliding motion into a combination of sliding and rotation. This reduces friction and wear between the metal protrusion and the stepped portion, maintaining good sliding property while using durable metal material.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion has a cylindrical shape that allows rotational movement, and the stepped portion has inclined surfaces that guide the rotational sliding motion. This geometric design reduces contact stress and wear while maintaining durability.
3Reliability
If the protrusion is made rotatable and moves along the stepped portion during rotation, then the slidability is improved and durability is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the sealing function, the coupling function, and the protrusion rotation function into a single integrated coupling member. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while achieving the desired durability and slidability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion automatically rotates along with the coupling member during the sealing operation, utilizing the rotational motion already present in the system. This eliminates the need for separate rotation mechanisms and reduces device complexity.
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 mechanism maintains durability and improves slidability by rotating the protrusion along the stepped portion, eliminating the need for resin pins and reducing wear, thus maintaining effective sealing and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling member is provided with a main body for holding a sealing cap and an elastic deformation portion coupled to the main body... elastically deform the elastic deformation portion and generate an elastic force on the elastic deformation portion. The sealing cap held by the main body of the coupling member is pressed against the housing by the elastic force of the elastic deformation portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A member coupling mechanism includes a first member including a cylindrical member coupling portion including a stepped portion inclined along a circumferential direction from a tip end side of the member coupling portion toward a base end side thereof, a second member configured to be coupled to the member coupling portion, and a coupling member configured to be engaged with the stepped portion while holding an end portion of the second member on a first member side. The coupling member is provided with a rotatable cylindrical protrusion protruding toward an outer or inner peripheral surface of the member coupling portion to be engaged with the stepped portion. When the connecting member is rotated in the circumferential direction, the protrusion moves along the stepped portion while rotating to press the first and second members in an approaching direction to couple them.