Tolerance Ring Wave Structures Disconnected Ends Torque Slip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tolerance rings often fail to prevent slip between inner and outer components under torque, leading to reduced grip and potential assembly issues in applications like compressor assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A tolerance ring design featuring wave structures with disconnected end sections and varying dimensions, which provide enhanced radial and axial gripping capabilities by deflecting inward and biting into the outer surface, increasing the required force for slip and improving torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tolerance rings with continuous projections are used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the gripping capability is insufficient and slip occurs under torque
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous projection is segmented into disconnected sections along the circumferential direction. Each projection now has multiple disconnected sections instead of being continuous, which increases the gripping capability by allowing independent deflection of each section while maintaining the overall structural function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the projection have different properties - the disconnected sections provide enhanced gripping at contact points while the spaces between sections allow for differential deflection. This local variation in structure optimizes both gripping capability and torque transmission.
2Power
If the projections are made stiffer to increase torque transmission, then torque capacity improves, but the assembly force required increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The projection structure transitions from a static continuous form to a dynamic segmented form where each disconnected section can deflect independently during assembly. This dynamic behavior allows the projections to yield during assembly (reducing assembly force) while maintaining torque transmission capability in operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parameter of the projection changes from continuous to disconnected sections. This parameter change allows the projections to exhibit different mechanical behavior during assembly versus operation - more compliant during assembly and stiffer during torque transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tolerance ring uses a single uniform projection design, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate variations in diameter between inner and outer components
Solution Approach 1:
The uniform continuous projection is segmented into disconnected sections, which allows each section to independently accommodate dimensional variations. This segmentation provides adaptability to diameter variations while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process using standard forming techniques.
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 enhanced gripping capability of the tolerance ring significantly reduces slip torque and improves the assembly's stability and durability by increasing the force required for relative movement between components.
Implementation Method 1
a tolerance ring may also be manufactured as an annular band... the band thus comprises an unformed region from which the projections extend... Each projection acts as a spring and exerts a radial force against the components
Data Source
AI summary
A tolerance ring with a generally cylindrical body having a sidewall, wherein the sidewall includes an undeformed portion and a plurality of wave structures protruding from the undeformed portion. The wave structures each having a feature disconnected from the adjacent sidewall.