Spacer Assembly With Resilient Friction Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacer devices for coupling components are complex, expensive to manufacture, prone to disassembly during transport and handling due to their compact design and metal composition, and suffer from component loss due to vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A spacer assembly featuring a support member, base member, and spacer member with integral resilient friction elements and locking mechanisms, made from plastic and metal, providing improved friction and locking functionality to secure components during transport and ensure accurate spacing between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If known spacer devices are made from metal with compact design, then manufacturing precision and strength are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated spacer member: the body provides spacing, the external thread provides attachment, the internal thread provides adjustable connection, and the friction elements provide locking. This eliminates the need for separate friction elements and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining metal strength and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, adjustable positioning, secure locking, and alignment features. The single metal spacer member replaces multiple separate components, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Ease of operation
If spacer devices are transported in pre-assembled state, then handling ease is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vibration-induced disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device is pre-assembled with the friction elements positioned within the body's internal thread structure, and the locking mechanism is pre-configured. This preliminary assembly allows for convenient handling and transport while the friction-based locking ensures the components remain securely attached despite vibrations during transit.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction elements are designed to provide continuous frictional engagement that cushions against vibration-induced loosening. The interference fit between the friction elements and the internal thread creates a damping effect that protects the assembly from vibration during transport and handling.
3Reliability
If friction elements are added to metal spacer devices, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements are integrated directly into the spacer member's internal thread structure, eliminating the need for separate friction element components. This integration reduces the number of parts, simplifies manufacturing processes, and lowers overall manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable friction engagement for locking the adjustable connection.
4Volume of moving object
If spacer devices are made compact, then space utilization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates during pre-assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device is designed as a modular system with distinct functional segments: the body, the friction elements, the adjustable connection component, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a compact overall size, and the modular design facilitates easier pre-assembly handling and operation.
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 spacer assembly reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes component loss during handling, and maintains component alignment with enhanced friction and locking features, allowing for secure assembly and disassembly without damaging threads.
Implementation Method 1
an axial through-hole with a plurality of inwardly projecting resilient friction elements configured to provide an interference fit engagement with a predetermined friction force with the threaded connection bolt, during use
Implementation Method 2
a cylindrical body having a central axis and an external spacer thread, configured to operably engage with said through-hole mount so as to axially move said spacer member relative to said base member when rotating said spacer member relative to said base member
Implementation Method 3
configured to provide an interference fit engagement with a predetermined friction force with the threaded connection bolt
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(f)
AI summary
There is provided a spacer assembly for spacably coupling a first and second component with a threaded connection bolt, each one of the first and second component provided with one or more fitting apertures. The spacer assembly comprises a support member (100), a base member (200), and a spacer member (300) having resilient friction elements configured to provide an interference fit engagement with a predetermined friction force with a threaded connection bolt, during use.