T-Shaped Connecting Element for Lateral Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting elements for components with distance between them primarily focus on axial tolerance compensation, neglecting lateral or radial compensation, and involve numerous parts leading to high production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A T-shaped connecting element with a hollow shaft, outward collar, flexible webs, and a tolerance gap for lateral compensation, allowing easy clipping and centering, reducing parts and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connecting elements with multiple parts are used, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (connecting element, centering mechanism, and tolerance compensation elements) into a single integrated T-shaped connecting element. The shaft provides connection, the collar provides centering, and the flexible webs provide tolerance compensation, all in one piece that reduces assembly steps and part count while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The T-shaped connecting element performs multiple functions simultaneously: the shaft engages with threaded holes for connection, the collar centers the element laterally, and the flexible webs compensate for tolerance variations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate centering and tolerance compensation components.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional rigid connecting elements are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to lateral tolerance variations worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element transitions from a completely rigid structure to one with dynamic flexibility through the inclusion of flexible webs. These webs can elastically deform to accommodate lateral misalignments and tolerance variations between components, while the overall connection maintains precision through the centering collar.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of certain elements from rigid to flexible. The flexible webs are designed with specific material properties and geometric configurations that allow them to bend and adapt to lateral tolerance variations, while maintaining sufficient stiffness to provide stable connection when engaged.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple separate components are used for connection, then connection stability is improved, but weight and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into a single T-shaped connecting element, the total weight is reduced due to elimination of fasteners, seals, and other connecting hardware between separate parts. The integrated design maintains connection stability through the coordinated action of the shaft, collar, and flexible webs as a unified structure.
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
Enables efficient lateral or radial tolerance compensation with fewer parts, lowering production effort and weight, while ensuring secure connections with reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible webs extending laterally outwardly from the hollow shaft and being flexible in the lateral direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A generally T-shaped connecting element (1) adapted to connect a first component (40) to a second component (60) with lateral tolerance compensation, which are arranged in a distance with respect to each other, comprises a hollow shaft (10) having a through-hole (12), a laterally, preferably radially, outwardly extending collar (18) at a first axial end (14) of the hollow shaft (10) and an inner thread (24) in the hollow shaft (10) for engagement with a connecting screw (50), a plurality of flexible webs extending laterally, preferably radially, outwardly from the hollow shaft (10), and being flexible in the lateral, preferably radial, direction, and a tolerance gap (38) for receiving an intermediate support (44) of the first component (40) is formed between a bottom side (22) of the collar (18) facing the flexible webs and the sides of the flexible webs facing the collar (18).