Additive Shaft-Hub Locking Connection for Tool-Free Axial Joining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft-hub connections in applications like centrifugal pumps require additional fastening means and metal inserts, which are cumbersome, costly, and can lead to component fractures due to the brittle nature of plastic materials under mechanical stress, especially during assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A fastening component with an integrated, additively manufactured locking mechanism featuring a pivoting lever that engages with a counter-component, eliminating the need for external fasteners and metal inserts, allowing for tool-free assembly and disassembly while ensuring secure connection and force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional fastening means (screws, nuts, retaining rings) are used to secure the hub in the axial direction, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hub and the locking mechanism into a single integrated component. The hub features integrated locking elements (such as axial locking protrusions or radial locking levers) that are formed as one piece with the hub body, eliminating the need for separate fastening means like screws, nuts, or retaining rings. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining connection reliability through the integrated positive locking features.
2Reliability
If additional fastening means are used to secure the hub, then the connection reliability is improved, but the assembly time and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hub and locking mechanism are merged into a single integrated component with locking elements formed directly on the hub body. This eliminates multiple assembly steps involving separate fasteners, allowing the shaft-hub connection to be assembled quickly by simply inserting the shaft into the hub where the integrated locking elements automatically engage with corresponding features on the shaft.
3Strength
If metal inserts are used to form the impeller hub for press connection with a metal shaft, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction where a plastic hub (which can be additively manufactured) incorporates integrated locking features that engage with a metal shaft. The plastic hub material is selected to provide sufficient strength and wear resistance for the application, eliminating the need for metal inserts while maintaining adequate connection strength through the integrated positive locking mechanism.
4Weight of moving object
If the hub is made of plastic material with thin walls, then the weight and manufacturing complexity are reduced, but the component strength and reliability decrease due to brittleness under mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is pre-assembled onto the shaft with the integrated locking elements already in position to engage with the shaft features. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the shaft is inserted, the locking elements immediately engage to prevent axial displacement, distributing mechanical stresses evenly and preventing the thin-walled plastic hub from experiencing concentrated loads that would cause fracture.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates movable elements (such as spring-loaded locking levers or flexible locking protrusions) that can dynamically adjust to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and distribute mechanical loads. This dynamic capability allows the thin-walled plastic hub to withstand mechanical stresses without fracturing, as the locking elements can deform slightly to absorb stress peaks.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening component (1, 35) for positive locking connection with a counter-component (2, 36) by axial joining, characterized by a housing part (5) with at least one open chamber (6) in which at least one lever (3, 4) is located, which can be pivoted into a locking position with the counter-component (2, 36), wherein the housing part (5) and the lever (3, 4) are manufactured in a simultaneous manufacturing step by an additive process.