Shaft Connection Structure Preventing Clamp Fastener Fall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft connection structures face issues with clamp fasteners slipping or falling from the first shaft during connection operations, leading to inefficiencies and potential injuries, especially when handling lubricants and wearing gloves.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an O-ring between the shaft components to prevent the clamp fastener from falling, utilizing its elasticity and sealing properties to maintain the clamp's position without damaging the shaft and ensuring a secure frictional connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamp fastener is used to fasten the first shaft and the second shaft, then the connection can be established using frictional force, but the clamp fastener may slip out or fall from the shaft end during the fastening process
Solution Approach 1:
An O-ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the clamp fastener and the first shaft. The O-ring serves as a mediator that prevents the clamp fastener from falling off the shaft end while allowing the fastening operation to proceed. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by providing retention without interfering with the ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring is preliminarily installed on the first shaft before the clamp fastening operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that the clamp fastener will be retained during the fastening process, eliminating the risk of it falling off and improving reliability before the actual connection operation takes place.
2Reliability
If a retaining ring is used to prevent clamp fastener falling, then the retention is ensured, but the first shaft may be damaged during mounting and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring is used as a simple, inexpensive, and replaceable component to prevent clamp fastener falling. Unlike a retaining ring that requires mounting and removal operations which may damage the shaft, the O-ring can be easily installed and removed without causing harm to the first shaft, thus eliminating the harmful factor of shaft damage while maintaining retention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring, being a flexible elastomeric component, can be easily mounted and removed from the first shaft without causing damage. Its flexibility allows it to deform during installation and removal, preventing the shaft from being damaged, unlike rigid retaining rings that may cause mechanical damage during these operations.
3Reliability
If the clamp fastener is held securely on the first shaft, then falling is prevented, but the operation time may increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring is a simple, inexpensive component that can be quickly installed and removed. Its simplicity means that the additional time required for installation is minimal, and it can be easily replaced if needed. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable retention without significantly increasing the operation time, as the O-ring's ease of installation offsets the time cost of adding an additional component.
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 O-ring effectively prevents clamp fastener falls, enhancing operational efficiency and safety by maintaining the clamp's position, reducing lubricant penetration, and allowing for easier, faster shaft connection without increasing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The O-ring has adequate elasticity and can be easily mounted on the first shaft
Implementation Method 2
a clamp fastener that is arranged outside the hollow portion of the first shaft and fastens the first shaft and the second shaft with each other by using a frictional force
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to prevent falling of a clamp fastener from a first shaft. A shaft connection structure includes an input shaft first shaft 12 that includes a hollow portion 12A, a motor shaft second shaft 14 that is inserted into the hollow portion 12A of the input shaft 12, and a clamp fastener 16 that is arranged outside the hollow portion 12A of the input shaft 12 and fastens the input shaft 12 and the motor shaft 14 with each other by using a frictional force, in which an O-ring 18 that prevents the falling of the clamp fastener 16 is arranged on a shaft end 12B side from the clamp fastener 16 in the input shaft 12.