Spherical Nut Assembly with Retaining Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assembly devices for structural elements and superimposed plates are complex to manufacture and difficult to implement, leading to increased production costs and reduced assembly rates due to the need for multiple simultaneous operations and the complexity of spherical nut designs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified assembly device where the orientation function is assigned to the male coupling part, allowing pre-assembly of the support base and tightening nut, which includes elastically deformable flexible tabs for retention and a convex spherical contact surface to ensure proper alignment and compression force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a concave spherical contact surface is provided in the nut and a convex spherical contact surface is provided on the base, then the orientation function is achieved allowing relative ball joint movement, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the orientation function into two separate components: the male coupling part of the nut provides the convex spherical contact surface, while the base provides the concave spherical contact surface. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with simpler processes, avoiding the need for complex spherical surfaces in a single integrated part.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a retaining means as an intermediary element that couples the male coupling part of the nut to the base. This retaining means simplifies the connection mechanism and reduces the complexity of achieving the ball joint movement function.
2Reliability
If multiple simultaneous operations are performed during assembly (holding plate, inserting base, bolting nut), then the assembly device functions correctly, but the assembly rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables pre-assembly of the base and nut by providing retaining means that secure the male coupling part of the nut to the base before final installation. This preliminary action allows the assembly to be prepared in advance, reducing the number of simultaneous operations required during final assembly and thereby increasing assembly rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the base and nut into a pre-assembled unit through the retaining means, merging two separate assembly operations into one integrated component that can be installed as a single unit, thus simplifying the assembly process and improving productivity.
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 simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces production costs, and enhances assembly efficiency by allowing pre-assembly of the support base and nut, facilitating easier alignment and compression force application, thereby improving assembly rates and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastically deformable flexible tabs projecting from the outline of the opening towards its center
Implementation Method 2
a convex contact surface of spherical shape arranged projecting from the upper face of the base
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for assembling a structural member (10) and a superimposed plate (11), that comprises a screwing member (12) connected to the structural member (10) and having a threaded section (13), a tightening nut (15) helically mounted on the threaded section (13), a bearing base (16) freely mounted on the screwing member (12) and provided between the tightening nut (15) and the plate (11), and a swivelling bearing means for the tightening nut (15) on the bearing base (16). The swivelling bearing means comprise a male coupling part (18) connected to the tightening nut (15) and including a head (22) with a convex contact surface (26) having a spherical shape, a coupling housing (30) connected to the bearing base (16) and including a concave contact surface (33) having a spherical shape complementary to said concave surface (26), and a retaining means (36) fitted on an opening (32) of the coupling housing (30) and automatically latching the male coupling part (18) in the coupling housing (30) once the head (22) is inserted into the coupling housing (30).