Adjustable Flange-Bushing Insert for CFRP Sandwich Force Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for mechanically coupling lightweight CFRP sandwich components to adjacent parts face challenges in optimizing force transmission, requiring individually tailored inserts that are costly and lack flexibility to accommodate thickness variations and geometric deviations.

Innovation Solution

An insert with adjustably connected flange bushings and a fastening element, allowing for adjustable and clamped connections to accommodate varying thicknesses and geometries, using a fine thread and optional bonding for optimal force distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individually tailored inserts are used to accommodate thickness variations and geometric deviations, then force transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinsert customization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert design incorporates adjustable parameters including the position of the fastening element along the longitudinal axis and the orientation of the force transmission element. These parameter adjustments allow a standardized insert design to accommodate variations in sandwich structure thickness and geometry, achieving reliable force transmission without requiring individually tailored inserts for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The insert system enables dynamic adjustment through the movable fastening element and rotatable force transmission element. This dynamic capability allows the same insert to adapt to different thickness variations and geometric deviations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and customization complexity by providing adjustability rather than requiring multiple fixed designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If standardized inserts are used to reduce manufacturing complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to varying thicknesses and geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to thickness variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized insert incorporates a fastening element that can be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis and a force transmission element that can be oriented at different angles. This dynamic adjustability within a standardized design allows the insert to adapt to varying sandwich structure thicknesses and geometries while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single base design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The insert design achieves multi-functionality by incorporating adjustable features that allow a single standardized insert to serve multiple applications with different thickness requirements and geometric configurations. The fastening element's variable positioning and the force transmission element's orientability enable one insert design to fulfill multiple functions across different sandwich structure variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the fastening element is rigidly fixed, then structural strength is improved, but ability to accommodate geometric deviations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidtolerance to geometric deviations
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the fastening element and the first flange bushing is designed to allow relative movement, enabling the fastening element to adjust its position along the longitudinal axis. Similarly, the force transmission element can rotate relative to the second flange bushing. These dynamic capabilities allow the rigid fastening and force transmission components to accommodate geometric deviations while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The insert is segmented into distinct functional elements: the fastening element, the first flange bushing, the force transmission element, and the second flange bushing. These segmented components can move relative to each other, allowing the system to accommodate geometric deviations while maintaining overall structural strength through the controlled relative movements between segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3631214B1Force transmission assembly and insert
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ACUTRONIC SCHWEIZ AG
  • EP3631214B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3631214B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3631214B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a force transmission assembly and to an insert (6) for such a force transmission assembly, which insert has two flange bushes (28, 30), which flange bushes are adjustably connected to each other and are preferably clamped to each other.