Tensioning Ring with Partial Axial Clamping Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arrangements for connecting tubular elements to bodies extending into them often result in inefficient force transmission and potential deformation, leading to reduced torque and increased risk of fatigue due to the extensive use of clamping forces, especially when space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A tensioning ring design where only a partial axial section of its inner surface acts as a clamping surface, allowing for selective force introduction and leveraging to achieve targeted clamping effects while maintaining stability, with a larger axial extent for a clamping screw, and featuring cut-outs or projections to optimize force transmission and minimize deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tensioning ring uses its entire inner surface for clamping, then the clamping force distribution is uniform, but the lever ratio is poor and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner surface of the tensioning ring is segmented into a clamping section and a non-clamping section. The clamping section has a reduced axial extent compared to the total ring height, creating a concentrated clamping surface that improves lever ratio while minimizing axial space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different axial sections of the tensioning ring are assigned different functions: the clamping section (with reduced axial extent) provides concentrated clamping force with optimal lever ratio, while the extended portions of the ring provide structural stability and mounting surface for the clamping screw without contributing to clamping deformation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tensioning ring has large axial extent for stability, then structural stability is improved, but force transmission efficiency decreases due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning ring structure is segmented into a clamping section with reduced axial extent that transmits force efficiently to the tubular element, and extended stable portions that provide structural support and mounting surfaces, separating the force transmission function from the stability function.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping section is designed with specific local properties (reduced axial extent) to minimize deformation and maximize force transmission efficiency, while the extended portions of the ring maintain overall structural stability and provide adequate surface area for screw attachment and load distribution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the clamping surface area is increased, then the distribution of clamping forces is improved, but the torque transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping surface is segmented to occupy only a partial axial section of the tensioning ring rather than the full height. This concentrated clamping surface area improves torque transmission efficiency by reducing lever arm losses while still providing adequate force distribution across the clamping interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial extent parameter of the clamping surface is optimized to a specific reduced value that balances torque transmission efficiency with adequate force distribution. This parameter change creates an optimal compromise between the two competing requirements.
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 enables efficient torque transmission and stable clamping forces with reduced deformation and fatigue risk, even in small spaces, by concentrating clamping forces on a limited axial section and using a stable ring structure to maintain torque transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a substantial share of the forces produced in response to actuation of the tensioning ring by a suitable clamping element (for example, a tangentially acting clamping screw) may be prevented from leading to a mere (elastic) deformation of the tensioning ring
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for connecting a tubular element to a body extending into the same using a tensioning ring, which, via its inner surface, embraces the outer wall of the tubular element, extends axially along the tubular element, and applies clamping forces thereto such that the tubular element acts via its inner wall on the body situated in the tubular element, clamping the same. The tensioning ring rests against the outer wall of the tubular element with only one axial partial section of its inner surface and exerts a clamping action thereon.