Swivel Assembly Axle Recess Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swivel assemblies are limited in size due to the need for the bearing to pass through one of the attachment eyes, restricting the minimum size that can be constructed and increasing the height and leverage of the system.
Innovation Solution
A swivel assembly design where the axle is secured for free rotation within a recess of the second component, retained by a cap, allowing the first component to connect without axial dimension constraints, enabling smaller swivel construction and facilitating a wider range of component connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bearing passes through the attachment eye to connect components, then the swivel assembly can be manufactured using standard techniques, but the size of the swivel eye must be large enough to accommodate the bearing, which increases the overall size and axial length of the swivel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the bearing assembly into separate segments: the bearing is retained within a recess of one component by a cap, while the axle extends through the cap to connect to the other component. This segmentation eliminates the need for the bearing to pass through the attachment eye, allowing the eye size to be minimized while maintaining standard manufacturing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the assembly dimensionality by moving the bearing assembly into a recess (a different spatial dimension) rather than requiring it to pass through the attachment eye axially. The cap secures the bearing within the recess, and the axle extends through the cap to connect components, transforming the assembly approach from axial insertion to recess-based retention.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bearing passes through the attachment eye, then the components can be connected, but the axial dimension must be sufficient to accommodate the bearing passage, preventing compact swivel design
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is nested within the recess of one component and retained by a cap, while the axle nests through the cap to connect to the other component. This nested arrangement allows component connection without requiring the bearing to pass through the attachment eye axially, enabling compact swivel design with minimized axial dimension.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard swivel construction techniques are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but the minimum size of the swivel is constrained by the bearing size required for the working load
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bearing assembly into a recess-retained bearing with a cap and an extending axle, the invention decouples the bearing size from the attachment eye size. This allows standard manufacturing techniques to be used while enabling the swivel size to be reduced below the traditional minimum constrained by bearing dimensions.
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 design allows for the creation of smaller swivel assemblies with reduced axial length, independent of the bearing diameter, enabling more compact and versatile swivel connections in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
an interconnection assembly interconnecting the components such that they are free to rotate about an axis, characterised in that the interconnection arrangement comprises an axle secured for free rotation about the axis within a recess of the second component, the axle being retained in the recess by a bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A swivel assembly is disclosed that allows first and second sub-assemblies to swivel with respect to one another. The assembly comprises a first component and a second component, at least one having a connection formation for connection to another object. An interconnection assembly interconnects the components such that they are free to rotate about an axis. The interconnection assembly comprises an axle secured for free rotation about the axis within a recess of the second component. The axle is retained within the recess by a bearing secured within the recess by a cap located in an opening of the recess that is directed towards the first component, the axle extending through the cap along the axis for connection with the first component.