Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner Locking Bar Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bolt tensioning devices are cumbersome and difficult to handle, especially when tightening screw connections from overhead or horizontal orientations due to their weight and the need to rotate them during the screwing process.

Innovation Solution

A tensioning device design where the support tube is a separate component that can be connected to the cylinder housing via connecting elements, allowing it to be locked to the threaded nut, thereby distributing the weight and allowing for easier handling, with a bolt mechanism that engages with the nut to secure the device in place, reducing the need for the operator to hold or rotate the heavy device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the bolt tensioning device is used to tighten screw connections from overhead or horizontal orientations, then the clamping function is achieved, but the device becomes difficult to handle due to its weight and the need to rotate it during the screwing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two main segments: a support tube that can be locked to the nut, and a cylinder housing that contains the clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows the support tube to be positioned and locked independently, reducing the need to manually hold or rotate the entire heavy device during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the support tube and the nut. This locking mechanism transfers the weight-bearing function from the operator to the locked connection, enabling hands-free operation and making overhead or horizontal tightening feasible without requiring the operator to support the device weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the device is designed as a single integrated unit, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the operator must hold or rotate the entire heavy device during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidoperator effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two main segments: a support tube that can be locked to the nut, and a cylinder housing that contains the clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows the support tube to be positioned and locked independently, reducing the need to manually hold or rotate the entire heavy device during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the support tube is integrated with the cylinder housing, then the device structure is simplified, but the device cannot be securely locked to the nut during preparation for clamping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidlocking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support tube is designed as a separate component from the cylinder housing, allowing it to be independently positioned and locked to the nut. This segmentation enables reliable locking through the dedicated locking mechanism while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the support tube and the nut. This locking mechanism transfers the weight-bearing function from the operator to the locked connection, enabling hands-free operation and making overhead or horizontal tightening feasible without requiring the operator to support the device weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the device requires rotation during the screwing process, then the clamping function is achieved, but the operation becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightening speedVSAvoidoperator labor
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism serves as an intermediary that secures the support tube to the nut, eliminating the need for the operator to manually rotate or hold the heavy device during the clamping process. This reduces operator labor and increases productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design simplifies and safer handling of bolt tensioning, especially in overhead or horizontal orientations, by allowing the device to be securely locked to the nut, reducing operator effort and preventing accidents due to weight and rotation requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic mechanism to expand the threaded bolt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3195982B1Clamping device for a screwed connection, method for tightening a screw connection, and nut
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 HOHMANN JORG
  • EP3195982B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3195982B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a clamping device for stretching a screw connection consisting of a threaded bolt (3) and a threaded nut (4) by pulling on the free threaded end section of the threaded bolt (3). A piston (15) is located in a cylinder housing (10). The piston (15) is longitudinally movable within the cylinder housing (10) and, together with an inner wall of the cylinder housing (10), defines a hydraulic working chamber (18). A changeable bushing (14) is designed to be movable by the piston (15) in the longitudinal direction (L). The bushing is provided with a thread (16) for screwing onto the threaded bolt (3). A support tube (11) surrounds the threaded nut (4) and is designed to support it against the base (2).To create a device particularly suitable for retightening a screw connection, which is also suitable for use in other orientations and even for overhead screwing operations, it is proposed that the support tube (11) be provided with a locking bar (30) which, for bearing against a locking surface (8) of the threaded nut (4) facing away from the piston (15), has a locking surface (33) facing the piston (15). Furthermore, a corresponding method for tightening the screw connection and a suitable threaded nut for this purpose are proposed.