Spline Adapter Grooves for Multi-Shaft Track Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters fail to accommodate devices with different shaft spline arrangements, leading to compatibility issues and inefficient attachment to tracks or surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The adapter features a housing with a shaft receiving port containing multiple grooves of varying shapes and sizes to accommodate different spline patterns, along with a shaft locking mechanism and a track retention arrangement that includes a rotatable foot and locking mechanism for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single groove pattern is used in the adapter, then the adapter structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate devices with different shaft spline arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates multiple sets of grooves (first grooves, second grooves, and optionally third grooves) within a single adapter body, each set configured to receive different shaft spline arrangements. This allows one adapter to universally accommodate various device types including first devices with first spline patterns, second devices with second spline patterns, and third devices with third spline patterns, eliminating the need for multiple specialized adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure is segmented into distinct sets (first grooves, second grooves, third grooves) that can be independently configured. Each set of grooves is positioned at different orientations and has different geometric characteristics to match specific spline patterns. This segmentation allows the adapter to handle multiple spline configurations without requiring a single complex monolithic groove structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple groove patterns are added to accommodate different splines, then compatibility improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple groove patterns that would traditionally require separate adapters are merged into a single adapter housing. The first grooves, second grooves, and third grooves are all integrated into one component, allowing simultaneous accommodation of multiple spline types. This merging reduces the total number of parts needed while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through conventional machining or molding processes.
3Reliability
If a shaft locking mechanism is added, then the attachment reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A shaft locking mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the adapter housing and the device shaft. The locking mechanism includes a locking element that can engage with the shaft to prevent unintended disengagement. This intermediary structure provides reliable attachment security while maintaining a clear functional separation between the adapter body and the locking function.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter includes a housing and a shaft receiving port defined in the housing. The shaft receiving port defines grooves extending at least partway along the shaft receiving port. The grooves include a set of first grooves and a set of second grooves, where at least one of the first grooves is different from at least one of the second grooves. Another adapter for coupling a device to a track includes a housing defining a threaded port and a shaft receiving port; a track retention arrangement including a foot and a threaded post extending from the foot, where the threaded post is rotatably engaged with the threaded port of the housing to raise or lower the foot relative to the housing; and a locking mechanism including an actuator and a plunger coupled to the actuator and configured to extend from the housing into the track channel of the track.