Segmented Retaining Ring Assembly for Shaft-Sleeve Hole Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retaining ring assemblies fail to effectively secure a shaft to a sleeve for rotational and axial fixation while allowing for synchronized rotation and preventing axial movement, particularly in applications requiring precise alignment of lubrication holes.
Innovation Solution
A retaining ring design featuring two portions with curved sections and flats, which can be installed around the shaft and sleeve, utilizing detents and a spring clip for secure axial and rotational retention, allowing for synchronized rotation and precise alignment of lubrication holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional retaining ring assembly is used to secure a shaft to a sleeve, then rotational and axial fixation is achieved, but the alignment of lubrication holes between shaft and sleeve cannot be precisely ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is divided into two separate portions: a inner portion with an inner flat that interfaces with the shaft's outer flats, and an outer portion with an outer flat that interfaces with the sleeve's inner flats. This segmentation allows independent positioning of each portion to achieve precise alignment of lubrication holes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If a retaining ring design with multiple flats and detents is used, then rotational fixation and prevention of axial movement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is segmented into two portions that can be independently installed into the shaft. Each portion has specific flats and detent features that work together to provide rotational fixation and prevent axial movement, achieving high reliability without requiring a single complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring portions act as intermediary elements between the shaft and sleeve, with flats engaging shaft flats and detents engaging slot features. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable rotational and axial fixation through distributed contact points rather than a single complex connection.
3Device complexity
If a simple retaining ring without segmented portions is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to precisely align lubrication holes and ensure synchronized rotation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is divided into two portions that can be independently positioned and installed. The inner portion aligns with shaft features while the outer portion aligns with sleeve features, enabling precise lubrication hole alignment. This segmentation maintains relative structural simplicity compared to monolithic complex designs.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A retaining ring (100) configured to retain a shaft (200) to a sleeve (300) to fix the shaft rotationally and axially to the sleeve can include a first portion (101) configured to install around the shaft (200) and within the sleeve (300). The first portion (101) can include one or more first curved sections and at least one first portion flat. The retaining ring (100) can include a second portion (107) configured to install around the shaft (200) and moveable relative to the first portion (101), the second portion (107) comprising one or more second curved sections and at least one second portion flat. The first portion flat can be defined between a plurality of the first curved sections, and wherein the second portion flat can be defined between a plurality of the second curved sections, for example.