Threaded Rod Joint Alignment for Smooth Screw Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assembling threaded rod sections often result in misalignment and require careful manual adjustment to ensure a smooth transition between thread entrances, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors, especially in low-light conditions, and may lead to damage during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A method using a measuring device with an internal thread corresponding to the external threads of the rod sections, allowing for precise alignment and rotation to ensure correct matching of thread entrances, utilizing gravity or manual rotation to facilitate accurate assembly and prevent over-tightening, which includes locking the joint and using pins for secure locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment is used to align thread entrances, then alignment precision can be achieved, but assembly time increases and assembly personnel must be very careful

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of thread entrancesVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing predetermined marks (index marks) on the threaded rod sections during manufacturing. These marks indicate the correct relative angular position for assembly, allowing assembly personnel to quickly align the thread entrances without time-consuming manual adjustments. The marks are prepared in advance during production, enabling fast and accurate assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If careful manual adjustment is performed to ensure smooth transition, then alignment quality improves, but the risk of damage during assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth transition between thread entrancesVSAvoidrisk of damage during assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the threaded rod sections with self-aligning features including predetermined marks and geometric reference elements. These features enable the components to guide their own alignment during assembly without requiring careful manual adjustment by assembly personnel, thereby reducing the risk of damage while ensuring smooth transition between thread entrances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If assembly personnel manually align thread entrances, then correct positioning can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and error-prone in low-light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrect positioning of thread entrancesVSAvoidease of assembly operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by using predetermined marks (index marks) that can be visually distinguished during assembly. These marks provide clear visual indicators for correct alignment, making the assembly process easier and less error-prone even in low-light conditions. The marks serve as visual guides that simplify the positioning task for assembly personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

4Productivity

If predetermined marks are provided on threaded rod sections, then assembly speed increases, but the device complexity increases due to additional marking requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidcomplexity of marking system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing predetermined marks only at specific locations on the threaded rod sections where they are needed for assembly alignment. Rather than adding complex marking systems throughout, the marks are localized to critical areas (such as near the thread entrances or at reference planes), thereby increasing assembly speed while minimizing the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 method ensures accurate and efficient assembly of threaded rod sections with consistent results, reducing the risk of damage and improving assembly speed while maintaining precision and safety, even in low-light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Non-self-inhibiting threads concern such angle of inclination and tolerance that the measuring device can be moved downward by its own weight along the threaded sections with rotational motion by means of gravity.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3676559B1Method and elevator device for indication and function control of a screw joint
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 STIGUN AB
  • EP3676559B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~3
  • EP3676559B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5
  • EP3676559B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device and method for adjusting a relative angle of rotation (RV) between a first and a second threaded rod section (1' 1") at a first joint (28') by means of a measuring device (2), which measuring device (2) has an internal thread (33) corresponding to a first and second external thread (35', 35") of the first and second threaded rod sections (1',1"), whererin the measuring device (2) is moved during use in axial direction over the first joint (28') in a rotary motion. The method comprising the steps of; mount the measuring device (2) on the first threaded rod section (1'); mount the second threaded rod section (1 ") to the first threaded rod section (1'); move the measuring device (2) towards the first joint (28') until the internal thread (33) of the measuring device (2) abuts the second external thread (35") of the second threaded rod section (1 "); rotate the second threaded rod section (1") to a position wherein a first thread entrance (30') of said first external thread (35') of the first threaded rod section (1') matches a second thread entrance (30") of said second external thread (35") of the second threaded rod section (1"), in which position the measuring device (2) can be moved over the first joint (28'); lock the first joint (28'); move the measuring device (2) toward a second joint (28") between the second threaded rod section (1") and a third threaded rod section (1"').