Threaded Tolerance Compensation Assembly With Spring-Free Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for compensating tolerances between components require complex configurations with springs and multiple components, making them costly and difficult to produce, while also lacking precision and ease of assembly.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hollow cylindrical base element and a compensating element with a threaded engagement, where a connecting element with a non-circular outer contour forms a radial projection or integrated driver, enabling a frictional connection without a spring, allowing for precise tolerance compensation with reduced components and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring element is used to create frictional connection between connecting element and axial compensating element, then reliable torque transmission is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spring element and axial compensating element into a single integrated component. The compensating element incorporates both the threaded portion for axial movement and the frictional connection surface for torque transmission, eliminating the need for separate spring and compensating element parts while maintaining reliable torque transmission through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial compensating element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial compensation through threaded engagement, transmits torque through frictional contact, and maintains constant force through its elastic deformation capability. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components including springs.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components (base element, compensating element, spring) are used, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring element and axial compensating element into one integrated component that can be manufactured as a single piece. This reduces the number of parts that need to be produced, stored, and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and production complexity while maintaining all necessary functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated compensating element is designed with distinct functional zones: a threaded portion for axial engagement, a frictional connection surface for torque transmission, and an elastic portion for force maintenance. This segmentation of functions within a single component allows for optimized manufacturing while reducing part count.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional compensating devices with springs are used, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but assembly difficulty and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the spring and compensating element into a single component with pre-established frictional connection surfaces and threaded portions, the device eliminates complex multi-step assembly procedures. The integrated design allows for simpler installation while maintaining precise tolerance compensation through the built-in mechanical coupling features.
4Reliability
If radial projection or integrated driver is formed by non-circular contours, then frictional connection is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity of contours increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-circular, asymmetric contours for the connecting element and compensating element that create radial projections and integrated drivers. These asymmetric shapes enhance frictional connection and torque transmission while being manufacturable through standard forming processes, balancing connection reliability with manufacturing feasibility.
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 provides a spring-free, cost-effective, and precise method for compensating tolerances between components, reducing the number of parts and production complexity while ensuring high precision and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the interaction of the inner contour and outer contour by means of the bulge creates at least a direct frictional connection between the connecting element and the compensating element, whereby the torque of the connecting element is transmitted to and exerted on the compensating element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for compensating tolerances between two components (2, 3) to be joined together, comprising: - a hollow cylindrical base element (4), and - a hollow cylindrical compensating element (5) which engages in threads with the base element (4) and which can be moved from a starting position (AP1) to a compensating position (AP2) by rotating it relative to the base element (4), - a connecting element (6) extending at least through a first cavity (H1) of the device (1) for connecting the two components (2, 3), wherein the first cavity (H1) has an inner contour (51) in cross-section and the connecting element (6) has an outer contour (61) in cross-section, wherein the inner contour (51) differs from the outer contour (61) in such a way that at least one radial projection (7) is present when the inner contour (51) and the outer contour (61) are concentrically aligned.