Wire-Bent Coupling Member for Rotatable Sleeve and Shaft Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling structures for members with sleeve and shaft portions face challenges in easily uncoupling while maintaining reliability, particularly during maintenance and repairs, due to design limitations that prevent easy detachment without excessive rotation and potential deformation.
Innovation Solution
A coupling structure featuring a wire-bent coupling member with parallel engaging portions, a connecting portion, and an extending portion that allows for rotational uncoupling by elastically deforming and preventing the distal end from entering the circumferential groove, even during excessive rotation, thereby facilitating easy detachment without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coupling member is designed to allow easy uncoupling by rotation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of excessive rotation and potential damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extending portion is designed with a length that prevents the distal end from entering the circumferential groove, thereby preemptively counteracting the harmful effect of excessive rotation before it can cause damage to the coupling structure
Solution Approach 2:
The extending portion acts as a protective element that absorbs or prevents the harmful effect of excessive rotation by engaging the slot before the distal end can enter the groove, cushioning against potential damage
2Ease of manufacture
If the coupling structure uses a simple wire-bent design, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural complexity needed for reliable coupling may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is segmented into distinct functional portions: engaging portions for slot engagement, a connecting portion for structural integrity, and an extending portion for protective engagement, allowing each to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The wire-bent coupling member is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to flex during engagement and disengagement operations, which facilitates easy assembly and uncoupling while maintaining reliable coupling when engaged
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
Enhances workability in uncoupling the members by allowing easy rotation and disengagement of the coupling member from the groove, preventing damage and enabling reliable coupling and uncoupling without the need for replacement, thus improving maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling member is rotated with respect to the sleeve portion while elastically deforming the coupling member, so as to disengage the coupling member from the circumferential groove
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling structure, including: a pair of slots extending in a circumferential direction of a sleeve portion of a first member; a circumferential groove formed in an outer circumference of a shaft portion of a second member; and a coupling member configured such that a part thereof is fitted into the circumferential groove through the slots for coupling the sleeve portion and the shaft portion so as to be rotatable relative to each other, wherein the coupling member is rotated while being elastically deformed, so as to disengage the coupling member from the circumferential groove for uncoupling the first member and the second member from each other, and wherein an extending portion of the coupling member has a length so designed as to prohibit its distal end from getting into the circumferential groove even when the coupling member excessively rotates and the extending portion accordingly engages one of the slots.