Rotational Coupler Flange Structure for Smooth Ratchet Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In rotational couplers, excessive pressure on contacting surfaces or large clearances between components can lead to difficulties in rotating the ratchet with respect to the guide member, potentially causing abnormal sounds or hindering smooth operation.
Innovation Solution
A rotational coupler design featuring a disk-shaped first member and second member with tapered portions and bent flanges, where plastic forming techniques are used to form the flanges, ensuring minimal pressure and clearance, allowing for smooth rotation and preventing abnormal sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If swaging is performed to form the first ring flange, then the outer circumferential ring structure is strengthened and components are secured, but excessive pressure is applied to the contacting surfaces causing difficulty in rotating the ratchet with respect to the guide member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming the first ring flange only at specific locations where structural support is needed, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire outer circumferential ring. This localized flange formation provides necessary structural strength while minimizing pressure concentration on contacting surfaces, thereby maintaining ease of rotation between the ratchet and guide member.
2Manufacturing precision
If the first ring flange and second ring flange are formed to contact the guide member and ratchet, then component alignment is improved, but large clearances or lack of contact may still occur causing abnormal sounds when rotating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-forming the first ring flange and second ring flange with precise geometries before final assembly. The flanges are shaped in advance to ensure proper contact surfaces and clearance control, preventing alignment issues and abnormal sounds during operation. This preliminary preparation ensures consistent contact between the flanges and the guide member and ratchet.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the outer circumferential ring is designed with U-shaped cross-section and multiple flanges, then component securing is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the first ring flange and second ring flange as integral parts of the outer circumferential ring structure, rather than separate components. The U-shaped cross-section design combines multiple functional elements into a single unified structure, enhancing component securing while minimizing device complexity by reducing the number of separate parts.
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 design ensures proper alignment and contact between components, preventing excessive pressure and large clearances, thus enabling smooth rotation and reducing the likelihood of abnormal sounds, enhancing the operational efficiency of the rotational coupler.
Implementation Method 1
pressing a tip of the second ring flange in which the bent portion has been unformed against the tapered portion with a metallic press die so as to plastically deform the second ring flange
Data Source
AI summary
A rotational coupler in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plate-shaped first member, a plate-shaped second member, a tapered portion, and an outer circumferential ring. The outer circumferential ring includes a first ring flange configured to externally come into contact with the first member. The outer circumferential ring includes a bent portion in a middle part of the second ring flange in an extending direction. The bent portion is bent to protrude toward the first plate of the first member.