Slotted High-Load Connector With Ring Tightening for Fast Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-load connectors in heavy-duty applications such as railway and shipbuilding require connections that can withstand immense forces and moments, while also needing to be quickly, easily, and reliably closed, but often suffer from complexity, uneven force distribution, and manual tightening limitations.
Innovation Solution
A high-load connector design featuring a pipe section with axially parallel slots forming fingers that engage with a ring, allowing for a multi-screw connection with symmetrical force application, and incorporating hydraulic thread tightening for efficient assembly, reducing the need for numerous loose parts and ensuring consistent force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple individual screws or nuts are used to connect fingers to the pipe or shaft, then the connection can withstand high forces, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual screw connections are merged into a single ring structure that engages with all fingers simultaneously. The ring replaces numerous separate screws and nuts, allowing one assembly operation to secure all fingers to the pipe or shaft, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring serves multiple functions: it connects all fingers to the pipe or shaft, distributes loading evenly across all fingers, and provides a unified interface for hydraulic tightening. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate fastening operations.
2Reliability
If multiple individual screws are used for connection, then the connection can be secured, but the tightening forces become uneven and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent tightening operations are merged into a single hydraulic tightening operation applied to the ring. This ensures that all fingers receive equal and simultaneous tightening force, eliminating the variability and unevenness inherent in manual or sequential screw tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic thread tightening is employed to apply uniform, controlled, and substantial tightening forces to the ring. The hydraulic system provides consistent pressure distribution, ensuring equal loading on all fingers and eliminating the inconsistency of manual tightening methods.
3Reliability
If numerous individual fastening parts are used, then the connection can be secured, but the number of loose parts increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Numerous separate fastening parts (screws, nuts, washers) are merged into a single integrated ring component. This dramatically reduces the total number of loose parts that must be handled, stored, and assembled, while the ring's design ensures secure connection of all fingers to the pipe or shaft.
4Ease of operation
If manual tightening methods are used, then simple tools are required, but hydraulic thread tightening cannot be easily engaged and applied
Solution Approach 1:
The ring acts as an intermediary component that translates hydraulic force into uniform tightening on all fingers. By providing a standardized hydraulic interface, the ring enables easy engagement of hydraulic pulling tools while distributing the complex tightening action uniformly across all connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates external threads on the ring specifically to facilitate engagement with hydraulic pulling tools. This allows powerful hydraulic tightening to be applied easily, overcoming the limitations of manual methods while the ring's geometry simplifies tool engagement and force application.
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A high-load connector (6) for connecting a component (3) to the end face (7) of a tube or shaft (2) comprises a tube section (10) which can be connected to the end face (7) at one end (13) and which has a set of axially parallel slots (16) distributed around its circumference, extending from its other end (14), between which fingers (17) remain, forming a ring (18) and which can be threaded through ring-shaped openings (9) of the component (3), wherein the tube section (10) is provided with an external thread (19) in the area of the fingers (17) and a ring with an internal thread which can be screwed onto the external thread of the tube section (10).