Segmented Shim Plate for Shaft Assembly Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shim plates are difficult to install between components assembled via shafts, requiring loosening of nuts and removal of shafts, leading to complex maintenance and potential damage to screw threads.
Innovation Solution
A shim plate composed of separable plate pieces that can be inserted between components in a lateral direction, forming a ring-shaped empty space and including protrusions and connection portions for easy assembly and sealing, allowing adjustment of distances without complete disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional solid shim plate is used to adjust distances between components, then the sealing properties are improved, but the ease of installation and maintenance deteriorates because the entire assembly must be disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The shim plate is divided into multiple separable plate pieces that can be independently inserted and removed. Each plate piece can be accessed and replaced without disassembling the entire assembly, as they can be inserted laterally through gaps between shafts. This segmentation maintains sealing effectiveness while dramatically improving installation and maintenance ease.
2Ease of repair
If the entire assembly is disassembled to replace a shim plate, then the shim plate can be replaced, but the maintenance time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the shim plate into multiple independent plate pieces, each piece can be replaced individually without affecting the rest of the assembly. The plate pieces can be accessed laterally through gaps between shafts, allowing maintenance personnel to replace worn shim pieces quickly without time-consuming complete disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate pieces are designed with features that allow them to be pre-positioned and easily inserted into the assembly. The lateral insertion path and connection structures are prepared in advance, enabling quick replacement during maintenance without requiring complex assembly procedures.
3Strength
If a solid shim plate is used, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the adaptability for different adjustment needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shim plate is segmented into multiple plate pieces of different thicknesses that can be selectively combined to achieve various total thicknesses. This allows flexible adjustment of distances between components while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed arrangement of multiple pieces rather than relying on a single solid plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed solid shim plate to a dynamic configuration of multiple separable plate pieces. This allows the assembly to be dynamically adjusted by adding, removing, or repositioning individual plate pieces to meet different spacing requirements while maintaining overall structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a shim plate which is inserted between components that are assembled to and disassembled from one another via at least one shaft may be provided. The shim plate includes a plurality of plate pieces that are separable from one another, wherein the plurality of plate pieces are configured such that one plate piece is connected to the other plate piece in a circumferential direction, and an internal ring-shaped empty space is formed.