Threaded Ring Fixing Assembly With Deformable Membrane Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices with threaded rings and membranes face manufacturing complexities and reduced securing forces due to stiffened joints and spring back effects, especially in small diameter designs, which increase costs and compromise the clamping effect.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with clamping bolts passing through a membrane and slots, allowing the membrane to deform and form a wave-shaped course, distributing forces effectively and reinforcing the interconnection of threaded rings without material weakening, enabling improved force superposition and secure clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If slots are introduced from the outside to completely sever the ring body forming individual ring segments, then manufacturing is simplified, but the membrane mobility between adjacent slots is restricted resulting in reduced securing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The ring body is segmented into individual ring segments by introducing slots from the outside that completely sever the ring body. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex groove introductions while allowing the membrane to be divided into manageable sections between the slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the membrane from rigid to flexible by selecting materials with appropriate elasticity. The membrane is made of elastomeric material that can deform elastically under load, allowing it to adapt to the clamping action without being permanently deformed, thus maintaining securing forces while accommodating the segmented structure.
2Reliability
If clamping bolts are introduced through webs to interlock threaded rings, then the fixing device can be securely mounted, but the webs intersected by clamping bolts unintentionally restrict membrane mobility resulting in reduced securing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the clamping function from the webs by introducing separate clamping bolts that pass through the membrane and ring segments rather than through the webs. This separation allows the webs to maintain their structural support function while the clamping bolts provide the interlocking action, preventing the webs from restricting membrane mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary element between the threaded rings and the clamping bolts. It transmits the clamping forces from the bolts to the rings while maintaining its own elastic deformation capability, thus mediating between the rigid clamping structure and the need for membrane mobility.
3Ease of manufacture
If arcuate slots are introduced to form balance-shaped beams, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but spring back effects occur impeding free membrane deformation and reducing securing forces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using arcuate slots that curve back on themselves, the patent uses straight slots that extend completely through the ring body from outside to inside. This inverted approach eliminates the spring back effects associated with curved geometries while still achieving the goal of simplifying manufacturing by completely severing the ring body into segments.
4Strength
If the membrane is closed towards the adjusting nut without plastic deformation, then the membrane maintains its elastic properties, but the forces generated across the deformed membrane need to be superimposed with operating load to achieve secure connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the membrane by selecting elastomeric materials with specific elastic properties. The membrane is designed to deform elastically within its elastic limit, maintaining its ability to recover and transmit forces. The thickness and material composition are optimized to provide sufficient elastic deformation while generating adequate securing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is pre-compressed between the threaded rings during assembly, storing elastic energy that contributes to the securing forces. This preliminary deformation action prepares the membrane to work together with the operating load, so that when the device is in operation, the pre-compression forces are superimposed with the operating load to achieve the secure connection.
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 solution enhances the distribution of forces, resulting in increased securing forces and simplified manufacturing, with the membrane adapting freely to cantilever deformation, providing a secure and cost-effective connection.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane is moved between the webs in a deformed state in the direction of at least one of the rings to at least partially form a slanted or arc course, as soon as the distance between a pair of rings is reduced by the relevant assignable clamping bolt
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device has two threaded rings (10, 12), and aa membrane (14) held between them that is an integral part of this pair of rings (10, 12) and is kept at a distance from the rings (10, 12) by introduced slots (16, 18, 24, 26), rectilinear in a unmounted state. The slots open to the outside. By resting against only partially annularly extending webs (20, 22) and having a clamping bolt (30) usable to adjust the axial distance between the and passing through the membrane (14) between two adjacent webs (20, 22), in the unmounted state the membrane is oriented in an undeformed manner in parallel to the rings (10, 12) and in a mounted state it is moved between the webs (20, 22) in a deformed state in the direction of at least one of the rings to at least partially form a slanted or arc course, as soon as the distance (a) between a pair (10, 12) of rings (10, 12) is reduced by the clamping bolt. The clamping bolt (30) passes through adjacent slots (16, 18, 24, 26) separated from the membrane (14).