Bellows Cornerpiece Joint Layout for Lower-Cost Gangway Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cornerpieces for bellows convolutes in gangways are costly to produce while providing comparable strength against tearing.
Innovation Solution
A new orientation of the line of connection between cut-away pieces of sheet material, with the line crossing the bottom line or apex, allows for reduced manufacturing efforts and costs through methods like stitching, stapling, or gluing, eliminating the need for an apex piece in preferred embodiments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cornerpiece is produced by casting or extruding as a one-piece element, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cornerpiece is divided into multiple separate pieces (first piece, second piece, apex piece) that are joined together, replacing the traditional one-piece casting or extruding method. This segmentation allows each piece to be manufactured separately using cost-effective sheet material cutting, while the overall structural integrity is maintained through the joining process.
2Reliability
If the cornerpiece is made from multiple pieces joined together, then production cost is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first piece and second piece are prepared in advance with pre-defined connection lines and attachment means (such as staples, rivets, or adhesive areas) before assembly. This preliminary preparation simplifies the final joining process and reduces on-site manufacturing complexity, as the pieces are ready for straightforward assembly.
3Strength
If traditional connection methods with parallel lines of connection are used, then structural strength is maintained, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple parallel lines of connection as in traditional methods, the invention inverts the approach by using a single line of connection that runs diagonally across the cornerpiece, connecting the first and second pieces through the apex piece. This inverted connection pattern reduces the number of connection lines from multiple parallel lines to a single diagonal line, significantly reducing manufacturing time while maintaining structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cornerpiece (3) of a convolute (2) of a bellows (1) of a gangway, the cornerpiece (3) extending from a first end (7) intended to be connected to a further part of the convolute (2) to a second end (8) intended to either be connected to a further part of the convolute (2) or to serve as an end of the convolute, wherein the cornerpiece (3) at least for a part of its extend from the first end (7) to the second end (8) has the shape of a trough that is bent into an arc, wherein the trough has a bottom line (9) or a bottom area (18), wherein the cornerpiece (3) has a first piece (10) that is a cut¬away from sheet material and has a second piece (11) that is a cut¬away from sheet material, wherein the first piece (10) is joined to the second piece (11) along a line of connection (12), wherein the line of connection crosses the bottom line or the bottom area.