Torque Limiter Spring Assembly With Staged Press-Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing method for torque limiters is cumbersome and prone to damaging elastic pieces during assembly, requiring high forces and specialized equipment, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using retaining means with protrusions that allow for sequential press-fitting of spring members onto the inner ring with gradually reduced force, and assembling the outer ring later, ensuring the elastic pieces are not damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the spring members are press-fitted into the inner ring before assembling with the outer ring, then the assembly sequence is flexible, but the elastic pieces may be damaged due to high press-fitting force
Solution Approach 1:
The press-fitting process is segmented into two stages: first pressing the base portion of the spring member into the inner ring, then separately pressing the retaining protrusion into the corresponding groove of the outer ring. This segmentation allows each pressing operation to use appropriate force levels, preventing damage to the elastic pieces while maintaining assembly flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion of the spring member is press-fitted into the inner ring in advance, before the retaining protrusion is pressed into the outer ring. This preliminary action secures the spring member in position while leaving the retaining protrusion for later attachment, allowing controlled force application at each stage.
2Ease of manufacture
If the retaining protrusion is pressed with the base portion simultaneously, then the pressing operation is simplified, but the retaining protrusion may be bent due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing operation is divided into two separate steps: first pressing the base portion into the inner ring, then pressing the retaining protrusion into the outer ring groove. This prevents the retaining protrusion from being subjected to excessive force that could cause bending, while still maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
3Productivity
If the entire base portion is press-fitted at once, then the assembly is faster, but the retaining protrusion between the base portion and elastic pieces may be bent
Solution Approach 1:
The press-fitting operation is segmented into two distinct phases: pressing the base portion into the inner ring first, then pressing the retaining protrusion into the outer ring groove. This segmentation protects the retaining protrusion from bending while maintaining efficient assembly throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion is press-fitted into the inner ring as a preliminary step before attaching the retaining protrusion to the outer ring. This preliminary action secures the main body of the spring member while preserving the retaining protrusion for controlled attachment later.
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
This approach simplifies the assembly process, reduces the risk of damaging elastic pieces, and lowers the required force and equipment costs, making the manufacturing more efficient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic pieces 14 which extend toward an inner side in a radial direction, incline in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
the inner ring and the outer ring rotate relative to each other when rotational torque of a predetermined value or greater is applied between the inner ring and the outer ring
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing method of a torque limiter allows a plurality of spring members and an inner ring to be easily assembled without damaging elastic pieces of the spring members. A retainer has a retaining protrusion that protrudes toward an outer side in a radial direction from an outer peripheral surface of base portions of the spring members and a retained protrusion that protrudes toward an inner side in the radial direction from an inner peripheral surface of an outer ring. Base ends of the elastic pieces connect to inner peripheral surfaces of the base portions. The base portions are pressed into the inner ring before assembling the spring members and the outer ring. Alternatively, in a press-fitting step in which the plurality of spring members are sequentially press-fit into the inner ring one at a time before assembling with the outer ring, an amount of press-fitting is gradually reduced.