Scaffold Coupling Axial Play Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scaffolding couplings experience impairment of the clamping effect due to axial play between coupling parts under large axial forces, leading to relative movement and reduced frictional clamping.
Innovation Solution
The scaffolding coupling features a pivotally connected coupling unit with specifically designed peripheral regions and pivot connection projections, ensuring no axial play by matching the axial extent of the gap with the second pivot connection projection, and utilizing a locking area with a large leverage effect for strong clamping, along with a clamping area adapted to the scaffolding element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional scaffold couplings are used with standard pivot connection projections, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but axial play occurs between coupling parts under large axial forces, leading to impairment of the clamping effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform axial extents in specific circumferential regions of the pivot connection projections. The first pivot connection projections have a smaller axial extent in a first circumferential region compared to a second circumferential region, while the second pivot connection projection has a corresponding larger axial extent in its third circumferential region. This localized variation in geometry eliminates axial play at critical contact points without requiring complete redesign of the entire pivot connection structure, thus improving reliability while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing the pivot connection projections with unequal axial extents in different circumferential regions. The gap between the first pivot connection projections and the second pivot connection projection is intentionally made asymmetric, with the axial extent varying around the pivot axis. This asymmetric design ensures that the coupling parts cannot experience axial relative movement in the clamping position, eliminating axial play while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the axial extent of pivot connection projections is increased uniformly to eliminate axial play, then axial stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly increasing the axial extent of all pivot connection projections, the patent applies local quality by selectively varying the axial extent in specific circumferential regions. The first pivot connection projections have reduced axial extent in the first circumferential region and increased axial extent in the second circumferential region, while the second pivot connection projection has corresponding variations in its third and fourth circumferential regions. This localized approach achieves axial stability only where needed, avoiding unnecessary complexity in other areas and simplifying manufacturing.
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 prevents axial relative movement between coupling parts even under strong forces, maintaining a stable and effective clamping effect without impairment, ensuring secure coupling of scaffolding elements.
Implementation Method 1
two coupling parts pivotally connected to one another about a pivot axis in a pivot connection area
Implementation Method 2
a clamping effect generated primarily by friction would only exist between the other coupling part and the clamped pipe
Implementation Method 3
In the locking area, the two coupling parts can be locked against pivoting relative to one another by at least one locking member
Data Source
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AI summary
A scaffold coupling comprises at least one coupling unit (10) having two coupling parts (16, 18), which, in a pivot connection region (20), are interconnected so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (S); wherein a first of the two coupling parts (16, 18) has two first pivot connection protrusions (34a, 34b), which are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the pivot axis (S) and form an axial intermediate space (35) between themselves, and a second of the two coupling parts (16, 18) has a second pivot connection protrusion (36), which is positioned to engage in the intermediate space (35); wherein the first pivot connection protrusions (34a, 34b) are coupled, by means of at least one pivot pin (42), to the second pivot connection protrusion (36) so as to be pivotable relative to each other about the pivot axis (S); and wherein an axial extent of the intermediate space (34) with respect to the pivot axis (S) is less in a first peripheral region (44) than in a second peripheral region (46) and/or an axial extent of the second pivot connection protrusion (36) with respect to the pivot axis (S) is greater in a third peripheral region than in a fourth peripheral region.