Computational Aging Model for Nonlinear Elastic Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to accurately model the aging of non-linear elastic components under load, leading to inaccurate maintenance intervals and economic damage due to the inability to account for operational deformations and load influences on material properties.

Innovation Solution

A computational method simulates aging by replacing unloaded components with nodal points connected by rods, deforming the model under real loads, and dynamically adjusting the mesh based on stress signals, allowing for the simulation of bond breaking and formation, thus accounting for load-dependent changes in material properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If empirical values are used to model aging, then the modeling process is simple, but the accuracy of predicting component changes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of modeling processVSAvoidaccuracy of predicting component changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the aging model by changing parameters dynamically based on operational conditions. Instead of using fixed empirical values, the model updates material properties (such as stiffness and damping coefficients) according to accumulated load history, temperature exposure, and deformation cycles, thereby achieving accurate predictions while maintaining computational feasibility through parameter evolution rather than complex structural changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual substitute model that copies the essential aging behavior of the real component. This digital twin incorporates load-dependent aging mechanisms and can be updated with operational data to replicate actual component degradation, providing accurate predictions without requiring physical testing or complex experimental setups

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If aging is simulated by increasing temperatures, then the aging process can be accelerated, but the influence of operational loads and deformations is not considered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration of aging simulationVSAvoidconsideration of operational conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aging simulation into distinct components: thermal aging effects and mechanical load effects. The thermal component accelerates the chemical aging process independently, while the mechanical component separately accounts for load-dependent degradation. These segmented effects are then combined in the constitutive model to provide a comprehensive aging simulation that captures both acceleration benefits and operational realism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite modeling approach where the material behavior is represented as a combination of different aging mechanisms. The constitutive model integrates thermal aging effects (chemical decomposition) and mechanical aging effects (bond breaking under load) into a unified framework, allowing the simulation to capture complex interactions between temperature and load that neither approach could achieve alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If a detailed material model is used to capture aging mechanisms, then the accuracy of material property prediction improves, but the computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of material property predictionVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing aging effects at the material point level rather than requiring full-field detailed modeling. Each integration point in the finite element model maintains its own aging state variables and constitutive behavior, allowing accurate local material property prediction while avoiding the computational burden of resolving aging at every spatial location with high detail

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach enables the accurate prediction of component changes over time, improving maintenance scheduling and material design by accounting for load-induced changes in stiffness and other properties, aligning with real-world observations.

Implementation Method 1

a mathematical material model is imposed on each bar... the component in the model is deformed according to the real load

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3221806B1Modeling of the aging of a component composed of a nonlinearly elastic material under load
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 SIEMENS MOBILITY AUSTRIA GMBH
  • EP3221806B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3221806B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3221806B1 patent drawingFigure 8

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the computational modeling of the aging of a component composed of a nonlinearly elastic material under a specified load and is characterized in that the unloaded component (1) is replaced with a plurality of node points (3) in the model, which node points are connected among each other by a plurality of bars (2), wherein a mathematical material model is imposed on each bar (2) and the bars form a first mesh; the component (1) is deformed in the model in accordance with the real load and additional bars (4) are inserted between the node points (3) in this deformed state, wherein the additional bars (4) form a second mesh, while bars (2) of the first mesh are deleted; and the extent of the interconnection of the second mesh is made dependent on the duration of the deformed state.