DESC:A FLEXIBLE TIE ROD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a field of mechanical linkage elements, and in particular, the present subject matter discloses a flexible tie rod configured to gain flexibility upon receiving a load.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Traditionally, to achieve flexibility to safe linkage mechanism on overriding, multiple linkage parts with torsional spring are needed. Linear motion of linkages need to be transformed to rotational motion to assemble it with torsional spring. Rigidity of the linkage is only depended on spring stiffness.
[0003] Presently, linkages having rotational motion with torsional spring that provide rigidity in linkages using high spring rates are available in the market and being used in the industries. Also, Multiple parts with its variations and tortional spring is difficult to package and transfer motion in linkage mechanism having linear motion.
[0004] Thus, there is a need for a solution to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0005] OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed below.
[0007] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide a flexible tie rod configured to gain flexibility upon receiving a load.
[0008] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide flexibility in the tie rod with sufficient spring stiffness to gain flexibility.
[0009] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a flexible tie rod. The flexible tie rod includes a tie-rod long with a first end, and a second end. The flexible tie rod includes a tie-rod short with a front end and a rear end having a first male thread. The flexible tie rod includes a lock adopter with a first side having a second male thread and a second side having a first female thread to connect with the rear end of the tie-rod short. The flexible tie rod further includes a tube assembly with a front portion comprising a stopper plate and a rear portion having a second female thread to connect with first side of the lock adopter. The tube assembly encloses the second end and the first side, having a compression spring with a stiffness configured to endure a first load, locked with a hardened washer and the stopper plate one side.
[0011] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the flexible tie rod further includes a spring dowel sleeve located on another side of the hardened washer to lock the hardened washer enclosing the compression spring.
[0012] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the flexible tie rod undergoes a change in length as the compression spring is compressed when a second load greater than the first load is applied at one of the first end towards a second direction and the front end towards a first direction.
[0013] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the first direction is away from the first end and the second direction is away from the front end.
[0014] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the front end is fixed at a point when the second load is applied at the first end towards the second direction and the first end is fixed at another point when the second load is applied at the front end towards the first direction for the flexible tie rod to undergo the change in length.
[0015] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the flexible tie-rod operates like a rigid tie-rod when one of the first load and the second load is applied at one of the first end when the front end is not fixed at a point towards a first direction, and the front end when the first end is not fixed at another point towards a first a second direction.
[0016] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the flexible tie-rod operates like a rigid tie-rod when one of the first load and the second load is applied at one of the first end when the front end is not fixed at a point, towards a second direction and the front end when the first end is not fixed at another point, towards a first direction.
[0017] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the change in length includes one of an increase and a decrease in the length by unscrewing/screwing of the rear end of the tie-rod short from the second side of the lock adopter and rigidly fixing a tie-rod length tightening lock nut on the second side of the lock adopter.
[0018] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a flexible tie rod, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0021] Fig. 2a illustrates a diagram depicting the flexible tie rod functioning as a single rigid element in a linkage mechanism, when a load may be applied at a point A towards a point B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0022] Fig. 2b illustrates a diagram depicting the flexible tie rod functioning as the single rigid element in the linkage mechanism when the load may be applied at the point B towards the point A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0023] Fig. 2c illustrates a diagram depicting the flexible tie rod functioning as the single rigid element in the linkage mechanism when the load may be applied at the point A away from the point B, by providing a sufficient spring stiffness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0024] Fig. 2d illustrates a diagram depicting the flexible tie rod functioning as the single rigid element in the linkage mechanism when the load may be applied at the point B away from the point A, by providing the sufficient spring stiffness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0025] Fig. 2e illustrates a diagram depicting the flexible tie rod in an extended condition, when a second load may be applied at the point A away from point B, keeping the point B rigidly held and when the second load is more than a first load configured to endure a spring stiffness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0026] Fig. 2f illustrates a diagram depicting the flexible tie rod in an extended condition when the second load is applied at the point B away from the point A, keeping the point A rigidly held and when the second load is more than the first load configured to endure the spring stiffness, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0028] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0029] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram 100 depicting a flexible tie rod 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The flexible tie rod 102 may be configured to gain a flexibility upon receiving a second load. Further, the flexible tie-rod 102 may be configured to undergo a change in length upon receiving the second load. The flexible tie rod 102 may include a tie-rod long 104, a tube assembly 106, a compression spring 108, a hardened washer 110, a spring dowel sleeve 112, a lock adopter 114, a nut 116, and a tie-rod short 118.
[0030] Continuing with the above embodiment, the tie-rod long 104 may include a first end 104a and a second 104b and the tie-rod short 118 may include a front end 118a, and a rear end 118b having a first male thread. The lock adopter 114 may include a first side 114a and second side 114b. The first side 114a may have a second male thread and the second side 114b may have a first female thread to connect with the rear end 118b of the tie-rod short 118.
[0031] Moving forward, the tube assembly 106 may include a front portion 106a having a stopper plate 106c and a rear portion 106b having a second female thread to connect with the first side 114a of the lock adopter 114. The tube assembly 106 may be configured to enclose the second end 104b and the first side 114a, having a compression spring 108 with a stiffness (assembly stored force) configured to endure a first load, locked with a hardened washer 110 and the stopper plate 106c one side. The spring dowel sleeve 112 may be located on another side of the hardened washer 110 to lock the hardened washer 110. The spring dowel sleeve 112 may be configured to enclose the compression spring 108.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present subject matter, the flexible tie rod 102 may be configured to undergo the change in length as the compression spring 108 is compressed when the second load greater than the first load is applied at one of the first end 104a towards a second direction 120a and the front end 118a towards a first direction 120b. In an embodiment, where the second load is applied at the first end 104a towards the second direction 120a, the tie rod 102 may undergo the change in length when the front end 118a is fixed at a point and is unable to move. The second direction 120a may be away from the front end 118a. Further, in an embodiment, where the second load is applied at the front end 118a towards the first direction 120b, the tie rod 102 may undergo the change in length when the first end 104a is fixed at another point and is unable to move. The first direction 120b may be away from the first end 104a.
[0033] To that understanding, the flexible tie rod 102 may operate like a rigid tie-rod 102 when one of the first load and the second load is applied at the first end 104a when the front end 118a is not fixed at a point, towards the first direction 120b and no change in length may take place and the length may remain same. Further in an embodiment, the flexible tie-rod 102 may operate as the rigid tie-rod 102 when one of the first load and the second load is applied at the front end 118a when the first end 104a is not fixed at the other point, towards a second direction 120a and no change in length may take place and the length may remain same. Moving forward, the flexible tie rod 102 may operate like the rigid tie-rod 102 when one of the first load and the second load is applied at the first end 104a when the front end 118a is not fixed at a point, towards the second direction 120a and no change in length may take place and the length may remain same. Further in an embodiment, the flexible tie-rod 102 may operate as the rigid tie-rod 102 when one of the first load and the second load is applied at the front end 118a when the first end 104a is not fixed at the other point, towards the first direction 120b and no change in length may take place and the length may remain same.
[0034] Moving forward, the change in length includes one of an increase and a decrease by X parameter, by unscrewing/screwing of the rear end 118b of the tie-rod short 118 from the second side 114b of the lock adopter 114 and rigidly fixing a tie-rod length tightening lock nut 116 on the second side 114b of the lock adopter 114.
[0035] To that understanding, the hardened washer 110 may be configured to lock the compression spring 108 in the front portion 106a. The compression spring 108 may be locked between the hardened washer 110 and the stopper plate 106c at the end of the front portion 106a. The nut 116 may be configured to lock the tie-rod short 118 when the tie-rod short 118 is enclosed within the lock adopter 114. The front portion 106a may be configured to enclose the second end 104b and the compression spring 108 and the lock adopter first end 114a. The second side 114b opposite to the first side 114a may be configured to enclose the rear end 118b.
[0036] Fig. 2a illustrates a diagram 200a depicting the flexible tie rod 102 functioning as a single rigid element in a linkage mechanism, when a load may be applied at a point A in a first direction 120b. The first direction 120b may be a direction towards a point B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The point A may be at the tie rod long 104a and the point B may be at the tie rod short 118 as referred in the fig. 1. A load may be applied at the point A towards the point B, a length of the flexible tie rod 102 may not change and the flexible tie rod 102 may function as the single rigid element.
[0037] Fig. 2b illustrates a diagram 200b depicting the flexible tie rod 102 functioning as the single rigid element in the linkage mechanism when the load may be applied at the point B in a second direction 120a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The second direction 120a may be a direction towards the point A away from the point B. The point A may be at the tie rod long 104a and the point B may be at the tie rod short 118 as referred in the fig. 1. The length of the flexible tie rod 102 may not change and the flexible tie rod 102 may function as the single rigid element.
[0038] Fig. 2c illustrates a diagram 200c depicting the flexible tie rod 102 functioning as the single rigid element in the linkage mechanism when the load may be applied at the point A in the second direction 120a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The second direction 120a may be a direction away from the point B, by providing a sufficient spring stiffness. The point A may be at the tie rod long 104a and the point B may be at the tie rod short 118 as referred in the fig. 1. The applied load is not more than spring stiffness, the length of the flexible tie-rod 102 may not change and the flexible tie rod 102 may function as the rigid single element in the linkage mechanism.
[0039] Fig. 2d illustrates a diagram 200d depicting the flexible tie rod 102 functioning as the single rigid element in the linkage mechanism when the load may be applied at the point B in the first direction 120b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The first direction 120b may be a direction away from the point A, towards the point B, by providing the sufficient spring stiffness. The point A may be at the tie rod long 104a and the point B may be at the tie rod short 118 as referred in the fig. 1. The applied load is not more than spring stiffness, the length of the flexible tie-rod 102 may not change and the flexible tie rod 102 may function as the rigid single element in the linkage mechanism.
[0040] Fig. 2e illustrates a diagram 200e depicting the flexible tie rod 102 in an extended condition, when a second load may be applied at the point A in the second direction 120a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The second direction 120a may be a direction away from point B, keeping the point B rigidly held and when applied load is more than provided spring stiffness. The point A may be at the tie rod long 104a and the point B may be at the tie rod short 118 as referred in the fig. 1. The second load may be applied at the point A away from the point B and keeping the point B rigidly held. The second load may be more than a first load configured to endure a spring stiffness of the compression spring 108. Further, the length may increase by compression of the compression spring 108 and the flexible tie rod 102 may be in the extended condition.
[0041] Fig. 2f illustrates a diagram 200f depicting the flexible tie rod 102 in an extended condition when the second load is applied at the point B in a first direction 120b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The first direction 120b may be a direction away from the point A towards the point B and keeping the point A rigidly held and when applied load is more than provided spring stiffness. The point A may be at the tie rod long 104a and the point B may be at the tie rod short 118 as referred in the fig. 1. The second load may be more than the first load associated with the compression spring 108. Further, the length may increase by compression of the compression spring 108 and the flexible tie rod 102 may be in the extended condition.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A flexible tie-rod (102) comprising:
a tie-rod long (104) with a first end (104a) and a second end (104b);
a tie-rod short (118) with a front end (118a) and a rear end (118b) having a first male thread;
a lock adopter (114) with a first side (114a) having a second male thread and a second side (114b) having a first female thread to connect with the rear end (118b) of the tie-rod short (118); and
a tube assembly (106) with a front portion (106a) comprising a stopper plate (106c) and a rear portion (106b) having a second female thread to connect with first side (114a) of the lock adopter (114), wherein the tube assembly (106) encloses the second end (104b) and the first side (114a), having a compression spring (108) with a stiffness configured to endure a first load, locked with a hardened washer (110) and the stopper plate (106c) one side.
2. The flexible tie-rod (102) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a spring dowel sleeve (112) located on another side of the hardened washer (110) to lock the hardened washer (110) enclosing the compression spring (108).
.
3. The flexible tie-rod (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible tie rod (102) undergoes a change in length as the compression spring (108) is compressed when a second load greater than the first load is applied at one of the first end (104a) towards a second direction (120a) and the front end (118a) towards a first direction (120b).

4. The flexible tie rod (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first direction (120b) is away from the first end (104a) and the second direction (120a) is away from the front end (118a).

5. The flexible tie-rod (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the front end (118a) is fixed at a point when the second load is applied at the first end (104a) towards the second direction (120a) and the first end (104a) is fixed at another point when the second load is applied at the front end (118a) towards the first direction (120b) for the flexible tie rod (102) to undergo the change in length.

6. The flexible tie rod (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible tie-rod (102) operates like a rigid tie-rod (102) when one of the first load and the second load is applied at one of the first end (104a) when the front end (118a) is not fixed at a point towards a first direction (120b) and the front end (118a) when the first end (104a) is not fixed at another point, towards a second direction (120a).

7. The flexible tie rod (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible tie-rod (102) operates like a rigid tie-rod (102) when one of the first load and the second load is applied at one of the first end (104a) when the front end (118a) is not fixed at a point, towards a second direction (120a) and the front end (118a) when the first end (104a) is not fixed at another point, towards a first direction (120b).

8. The flexible tie rod (102) as claimed in claim 3, the change in length includes one of an increase and a decrease in the length by unscrewing/screwing of the rear end (118b) of the tie-rod short (118) from the second side (114b) of the lock adopter (114) and rigidly fixing a tie-rod length tightening lock nut (116) on the second side (114b) of the lock adopter (114).