Multi-Wall Tolerance Ring for Radial Force Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tolerance rings lack improved force loading characteristics, which limits their effectiveness in accommodating variations in component diameters and maintaining interconnection between inner and outer components.
Innovation Solution
The tolerance ring features a sidewall with folded portions, including compression features and projections, which provide a spring effect and deformation capabilities to absorb tolerances and radial forces, allowing for enhanced force transmission and stability through a multiple-wall construction and polymeric layer with low friction properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional tolerance ring with a simple annular band structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the force loading characteristics are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tolerance ring is segmented into multiple walls or layers, creating a multi-wall construction that improves force loading characteristics while distributing stresses across multiple surfaces. This segmentation allows the ring to better accommodate diameter variations and maintain interconnection between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a simple single-layer annular band to a multi-dimensional structure with multiple walls extending in different directions. This dimensional change creates additional load-bearing surfaces and improves the ring's ability to handle radial and axial forces while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tolerance ring uses a single-layer annular band structure, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the ability to absorb misalignments and radial forces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tolerance ring incorporates dynamic elements such as folded portions and resilient material properties that allow the structure to adapt and deform in response to misalignments and radial forces. This dynamic capability enables the ring to absorb variations in component diameters while maintaining functional interconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes flexible resilient material with elastic properties that allow the tolerance ring to deform and accommodate misalignments. The folded portions and multi-wall construction create flexible structures that can bend and flex to absorb radial forces and diameter variations without permanent deformation.
3Force
If projections are stamped or rolled into the tolerance ring, then the force transmission capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The folded portions and structural features are pre-formed during the manufacturing process using forming operations that create the desired geometry in a single step. This preliminary action integrates the force-transmitting features into the basic ring structure, reducing the need for subsequent precision machining or stamping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by using resilient materials with specific elastic properties that allow the ring to transmit forces through deformation rather than relying solely on rigid projections. This parameter change enables force transmission through the folded portions and multi-wall structure, reducing dependence on high-precision formed features.
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 tolerance ring's ability to absorb misalignments and radial forces, improving force loading characteristics and stability, thereby maintaining effective interconnection between components.
Implementation Method 1
The folded portions 5 can exhibit zero, or nominal, spring effect, or can be adapted to provide a spring effect
Implementation Method 2
polymeric layer with low friction properties
Data Source
AI summary
A tolerance ring including a sidewall having a first and a second opposite major surfaces spaced apart by a thickness, wherein the first major surface defines an inner diameter of the tolerance ring at a first location of the sidewall and an outer diameter of the tolerance ring at a second location of the sidewall. A method of forming a tolerance ring including providing a strip of material comprising a first, a second, a third, and a fourth edge, shaping the first edge of the strip toward the third edge, and shaping the second edge of the strip toward the fourth edge.