Tube Holder Clamping Structure for Uniform Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment methods for cylindrical tubes onto holders, such as airplane seat brackets, result in uneven pressure distribution, leading to ovalization, rigidity loss, and squeaking noises due to poor torque control and clearance issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a holder featuring a cylindrical housing and a nut with inclined faces that engage with bell cranks, allowing for even load distribution by tightening the entire periphery of the tube through a longitudinal slot, enhancing rigidity and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple screw is used to attach the tube to the holder, then the attachment structure is simple, but the pressure distribution is poor leading to ovalization and reduced rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is segmented into two parts: a cylindrical housing and a nut with inclined faces. The cylindrical housing provides the basic attachment structure, while the nut with inclined faces adds the force distribution function. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and pressure distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut with inclined faces acts as an intermediary element between the screw and the tube. Instead of the screw directly pinching the tube, the inclined faces of the nut convert the linear screw motion into radial expansion of the cylindrical housing, which then uniformly compresses the tube. This intermediary mechanism transforms the force application method to achieve uniform pressure distribution.
2Device complexity
If a simple screw is used to attach the tube to the holder, then the attachment structure is simple, but squeaking noises occur due to clearances between the tube and holder
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the attachment structure into a cylindrical housing and a nut with inclined faces, the system achieves uniform radial compression that eliminates clearances between the tube and holder. This segmentation enables the structure to simultaneously maintain simplicity and prevent squeaking noises through proper force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut with inclined faces serves as an intermediary that converts axial screw force into uniform radial compression. This intermediary mechanism ensures continuous contact between the holder and tube by evenly distributing the compressive force, thereby eliminating the clearances that cause squeaking noises while keeping the overall structure simple.
3Device complexity
If a simple screw is used to attach the tube to the holder, then the attachment structure is simple, but the tightening torque is poorly controlled and rigidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is divided into a cylindrical housing that provides rigidity and a nut with inclined faces that controls tightening torque. This segmentation allows the cylindrical housing to maintain structural strength while the nut mechanism provides controlled force application, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and attachment rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nut with inclined faces acts as an intermediary that provides controlled tightening torque by converting linear screw motion into uniform radial expansion. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the cylindrical housing is evenly compressed onto the tube, maximizing contact area and friction, thereby enhancing attachment rigidity while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the cylindrical housing closes on the tube with entire surface contact, then load distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the slot and bell crank mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical housing is segmented with a longitudinal slot that allows it to expand radially when the nut is tightened. This segmentation enables the housing to transform from a rigid cylinder into a flexible structure that can uniformly compress the tube, achieving excellent load distribution. The slot mechanism, while adding some complexity, is a simple and effective way to enable this functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical housing with the longitudinal slot transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure during tightening. The slot allows the housing to expand radially and conform to the tube's shape, creating entire surface contact. This dynamic adaptation achieves superior load distribution while keeping the structural complexity relatively low through the simple slot geometry.
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 provides improved rigidity and reduced noise by evenly distributing forces over the tube's periphery, ensuring optimal load transmission and minimizing deformation.
Implementation Method 1
the nut including at least one inclined face, each outer edge having a bell crank cooperating with the inclined face of the nut. The tightening of the screw to the nut causes the edges of the slot to be tightened to the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A device for attaching a tube onto a holder includes the tube, the holder, a through screw and a nut, the holder receiving the tube in a cylindrical housing transversely pierced by a port, the tube having two piercings facing each other, the screw passing through the port and the two piercings and securing the tube and the holder, wherein the cylindrical housing of the holder has a longitudinal slot facing the port, the slot having two inner edges disposed on the side of the housing and two outer edges disposed on the side opposite the housing, the nut including at least one inclined face, each outer edge having a bell crank cooperating with the inclined face of the nut.