Sliding Sleeve Flexible Coupling Face Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headrest arrangements face challenges in compensating for manufacturing and assembly tolerances between the sliding sleeve and the securing support, leading to potential noise and instability issues.
Innovation Solution
A sliding sleeve with a sleeve body featuring a coupling section having a flexible coupling face, which can form a cavity covered by a flexible bridge wall, allowing for the absorption of forces and creating a frictional connection to improve the press fit and secure fixation within the securing support, thereby compensating for manufacturing and assembly tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid sliding sleeve is used in a securing support, then the structural strength is maintained, but manufacturing and assembly tolerances cannot be compensated leading to noise and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible coupling face (comprising a cavity covered by a flexible bridge wall) on the outer side of the sliding sleeve. This flexible structure can deform to compensate for manufacturing and assembly tolerances between the sliding sleeve and securing support, while maintaining structural integrity and eliminating noise through proper force absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of part of the sliding sleeve wall by creating a cavity that can be filled with material or left as a void space. This parameter change allows the bridge wall to flex and adapt to tolerance variations, transforming the rigid structure into a semi-flexible one that compensates for dimensional deviations.
2Strength
If the sliding sleeve is pressed tightly into the securing support, then the press fit is improved, but geometric influences on the internal diameter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a cavity in a specific region of the sliding sleeve wall, allowing only the local bridge wall area to be flexible while the rest of the sleeve body remains rigid. This localized flexibility compensates for press fit issues without affecting the overall internal diameter geometry of the sliding sleeve.
3Reliability
If the cavity depth is increased to improve force absorption, then the tolerance compensation is enhanced, but the structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by creating a cavity with controlled depth that is sufficient to allow bridge wall flexion for tolerance compensation, but not so deep as to compromise the overall structural strength of the sliding sleeve. The cavity provides just enough flexibility where needed while maintaining global structural integrity.
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 solution effectively minimizes geometric influences on the internal diameter, enhances the transmission of forces, and ensures a secure, noise-reduced, and rattle-free installation of the sliding sleeve in the securing support, even with manufacturing tolerances present.
Implementation Method 1
the cavity is covered to the outside by a flexible bridge wall. By means of the cavity, forces which act on the bridge wall can at least be absorbed during the installation of the sliding sleeve into a securing support
Implementation Method 2
In addition, there is a frictional connection between the sliding sleeve and the securing support. This makes an improved press fit of the sliding sleeve in the securing support possible
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding sleeve (6, 60) for fixing in a securing support (5, 50). The sliding sleeve (6, 60) includes a sleeve body (6.2, 60.2) with a coupling section (6.3, 60.3) with at least one flexible coupling face (6.4, 60.4) for bearing against the securing body (5, 50).