Adjustable Stiffness Cantilevered Support for Composite Leaf Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structural members, such as those made from composite materials, lack adjustable stiffness, which is inadequate for handling large variations in static and dynamic loads, particularly in applications like vehicular leaf springs where torsional flexibility is required.
Innovation Solution
A beam comprising a pair of spaced apart oblong members connected by blocks, where at least one member has variable longitudinal stiffness, allowing for adjustment in stiffness and torsional flexibility through tapered profiles and fiber orientations, enabling both bending and torsional strength and stiffness variation along the member's length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If composite materials with fixed fiber orientations are used, then structural strength is improved, but stiffness adjustability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustability by making the structural member modular with movable components. Specifically, blocks can slide along the longitudinal axis of the oblong members, and the separation distance between oblong members can be adjusted, transforming a static composite structure into a dynamic, adjustable system that can adapt stiffness to different load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the composite structure to achieve stiffness adjustment. By varying the longitudinal position of blocks along the oblong members and adjusting the separation distance between members, the effective stiffness of the composite structure can be modified without changing the material properties themselves, allowing optimization for different static and dynamic load scenarios
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform stiffness is provided throughout the member, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but performance under varying loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform stiffness distribution through the adjustable configuration of blocks and oblong members. The variable cross-sectional geometry and adjustable spacing create regions of different stiffness along the longitudinal axis, allowing the structure to optimize performance for specific load conditions while maintaining relatively simple composite manufacturing processes for each component
3Adaptability or versatility
If torsional flexibility is added to the structural member, then adaptability to dynamic loads is improved, but longitudinal stiffness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the structural member into discrete components (oblong members, blocks, and spacing elements) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows independent optimization of longitudinal stiffness (through the rigid oblong members and fiber orientations) and torsional flexibility (through the adjustable block positions and separation distances), resolving the contradiction between these two mechanical properties
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 stiffness adjustment and torsional flexibility, enhancing the structural member's performance in handling diverse load conditions, particularly in vehicular applications, by allowing for customizable stiffness and resistance to loads.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber reinforced material having plural fiber orientations selected to adjust longitudinal stiffness different from latitudinal stiffness
Data Source
AI summary
An oblong cantilevered support includes a pair of latitudinally spaced apart oblong resilient members connected by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart blocks. The longitudinal spacing between the blocks can be adjusted. One or both of the members can have a tapered profile causing the stiffness of the member to vary along its length. Adjusting the spacing between the blocks and/or sliding a variable stiffness member longitudinally with respect to the blocks can adjust the stiffness of the overall support. Each member can be made from a unitary piece of fiber composite material such as a carbon fiber infused polymer wherein the orientations of the fibers are varied to provide both bending and torsional strength and stiffness that varies along the length of the member. The tapered geometry can be formed by a pair of parallely spaced apart oblique trapezoidal truncated pyramids interconnected by a webbing strip.