Tool Assembly Sleeve with Locating Ball and Elastic Piece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tool assembly apparatuses face issues with increased manufacturing cost and weight due to thicker sleeves, difficulty in operation due to angled screw threads, and inconvenience in assembly through screw holes, which necessitate a more efficient and cost-effective design.
Innovation Solution
A tool assembly apparatus featuring a sleeve with axial engaging holes of varying diameters, a locating ball, and an elastic locating piece that allows for secure engagement without the need for thick sleeves, enabling easier installation and use through both ends, and reducing structural damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sleeve outer wall is made thicker to ensure locating bolt positioning, then positioning reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locating function is extracted from the sleeve wall thickness requirement and transferred to a dedicated locating ball component. The locating ball fits into a locating hole in the sleeve and a corresponding locating groove in the connecting rod, providing reliable positioning without requiring increased sleeve wall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
A locating ball is introduced as an intermediary element between the sleeve and connecting rod to achieve positioning. The locating ball mediates the connection by fitting into the locating hole and groove, eliminating the need for thickened sleeve walls while maintaining positioning reliability.
2Strength
If the screw thread angle is used for locating bolt engagement, then connection strength is improved, but operational difficulty increases due to deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The locating function is extracted from the threaded screw hole and transferred to a smooth-bore locating hole with a locating ball. This eliminates the angled screw thread that causes deflection while maintaining connection strength through the elastic locating piece and locating ball-groove engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded mechanical engagement system is replaced with a smooth-bore locating hole and locating ball system. The elastic locating piece provides the necessary clamping force without requiring angled threads, eliminating deflection issues and improving ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a screw hole is used for assembly, then positioning accuracy is improved, but assembly convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is extracted from the threaded screw hole and implemented through a locating hole with a locating ball. The locating hole provides accurate positioning while the smooth bore and locating ball mechanism simplifies the assembly process compared to threading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating ball serves as an intermediary that simplifies assembly. It passes through the locating hole and engages with the locating groove, providing accurate positioning without requiring threaded operations, thereby improving assembly convenience while maintaining positioning accuracy.
4Device complexity
If a single sleeve design is used for both ends, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases when different sizes are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed with two engaging holes of different diameters (first and second engaging holes) that can accommodate connecting rods of different specifications. The elastic locating piece and locating ball mechanism can adapt to both hole sizes, allowing a single sleeve design to serve multiple functions and sizes, thereby improving adaptability without increasing complexity.
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 design reduces manufacturing costs and weight, simplifies installation, and allows for versatile use without requiring different sleeve sizes for various connecting members, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
two sides of the cutting portion are configured to be pulled apart and bounced back when released so as to enable the ring body to tightly clamp on the outer periphery of the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A tool assembly apparatus may comprise a sleeve, a locating ball, an elastic locating piece, and a connecting rod. The sleeve has a first end and a second end, and the first end and the second end of the sleeve respectively have an axial first engaging hole and an axial second engaging hole which are communicated to axially penetrate through the sleeve. The inner diameter of the second engaging hole is smaller than the first engaging hole, and the sleeve has a radial through hole penetrating through an outer periphery thereof to communicate with the second engaging hole. The elastic locating piece has a ring body which comprises a locating hole and a cutting portion thereon. The connecting rod comprises a bearing section and a driving section, and a middle section is connected therebetween. The driving section has a locating recess formed thereon.