Socket-to-Tube Mechanical Locking for Precise Bushing Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for locking a socket body in a tubular body result in structural changes due to high temperatures, leading to instability and imprecise positioning, and do not allow for exact alignment.

Innovation Solution

Deforming the tubular body to create connection points adjacent to the socket body, eliminating the need for a material connection and allowing for precise alignment and reinforcement, using a centering mandrel to press the tubular body and form connection points that block adjustment along the tubular body's axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the pipe body is deformed to create a connection point using heat and/or pressure, then a material-bonded connection is formed between the bushing body and the pipe body, but structural changes occur in the pipe body and/or bushing body leading to insufficient strength and stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal and chemical bonding processes with a purely mechanical deformation process. A deformation tool mechanically deforms the pipe body to create a connection point that secures the bushing body through physical interlocking rather than material bonding, thereby avoiding heat- and pressure-induced structural changes while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of heating and pressing the materials together to bond them, the patent inverts the approach by using controlled mechanical deformation to create a geometric interlocking structure. The connection is achieved through the shape change of the pipe body forming a mechanical lock around the bushing body, rather than through material fusion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If high temperatures are applied at the connection point during welding, then a material-bonded connection is achieved, but structural changes result in insufficient strength and stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidthermal damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes thermal energy with mechanical energy for creating the connection. A deformation tool applies localized mechanical force to deform the pipe body and form a connection point that secures the bushing body, completely eliminating the need for high temperatures and associated thermal damage to the materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the bushing body is positioned within the pipe body, then the bushing body can be secured, but precise positioning is not achieved and high tolerances exist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a centering element on the deformation tool that performs preliminary positioning of the bushing body within the pipe body before deformation occurs. This preliminary centering action ensures accurate alignment and precise positioning, reducing tolerances and improving both manufacturing precision and connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The centering element acts as an intermediary between the deformation tool and the bushing body, facilitating precise positioning. This intermediary component ensures that the bushing body is correctly aligned and centered before the deformation process creates the secure connection, thereby achieving high positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This method provides a stable and precise connection between the socket and tubular bodies, enhancing the strength and stability of both components while avoiding structural weakening and allowing for reliable fastening.

Implementation Method 1

deforming the pipe body in the area of the bushing body to create at least one connection point that secures the bushing body in the pipe body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic-plastic deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4272885A1Method for fixing a socket body in a tubular body
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 MELEGHY AUTOMOTIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4272885A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4272885A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4272885A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for fastening a bushing body in a tube body, comprising the steps of: - arranging a bushing body in a tube body, - deforming the tube body in the region of the bushing body to create at least one connection point that secures the bushing body in the tube body. To provide a method that enables a stable and positionally accurate connection of a bushing body in a tube body in a simple and reliable manner, it is provided that the tube body is deformed such that the at least one connection point is arranged adjacent to the bushing body.