Tie Rod Union Clamp for Non-Threaded Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tie rod union assemblies for agricultural combines require threaded connections for length adjustment, which can be complex and costly, and often necessitate additional components like separate bolt bases for secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
A tie rod assembly with a tube sleeve and unthreaded tie rod shaft, featuring a C-shaped clamp with a curved inner surface and aligned apertures for secure attachment using two fasteners, allowing for non-threaded length adjustment and reduced component complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If threaded connections are used for length adjustment, then length adjustment capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tube sleeve is segmented by introducing slots that divide it into separate sections, allowing the tie rod shaft to be positioned at different lengths by aligning different portions of the shaft with the sleeve. This segmentation enables length adjustment without requiring threaded connections, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sets of aligned bolt openings are pre-positioned on both the tube sleeve and tie rod shaft at different locations along their lengths. This preliminary arrangement of fastening points allows for quick length adjustment by simply selecting the appropriate pre-positioned openings, eliminating the need for threaded adjustments and reducing both complexity and installation time.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components (bolt bases, tube sleeve, tie rod shaft) are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but assembly time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt bases are merged with the tube sleeve by forming them as an integrated component. This combination eliminates the need for separate bolt base pieces that required manual placement, thereby reducing assembly steps and labor intensity while maintaining secure attachment through the unified structure's multiple fastening points.
3Strength
If separate bolt bases are used for fastening, then secure connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt bases are combined with the tube sleeve to form a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate bolt base pieces, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs while maintaining connection strength through the integrated structure's design.
Data Source
AI summary
The tie rod assembly union includes a tube sleeve and a tie rod shaft that extends into the tube sleeve such that the tie rod shaft and the tube sleeve overlap with one another. In the overlapping area, each of the tie rod shaft and the tube sleeve has at least one set of openings. A C-shaped clamp is disposed about the tube sleeve. The clamp has a curved inner surface which engages both tube sleeve halves. The clamp has a first set of apertures which are spaced outwardly from the curved inner surface and a second set of apertures which extend to the curved inner surface. A first fastener extends through the first set of apertures to tighten the clamp onto the tube sleeve. A second fastener extends through the second set of apertures and through aligned openings in the tie rod shaft and tube sleeve.