Joining Brittle Ceramic Pieces With Threaded Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brittle materials are prone to shattering or cracking when threads are cut into them for joining, and adhesives can introduce contaminants and misalignment issues in optical systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the insertion of a ductile plug into a brittle material piece, soldering it in place, and tapping an internally threaded hole, allowing for secure fastening with threaded fasteners without damaging the brittle material or using adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If threads are cut into brittle material for joining, then threaded fasteners can be used to join parts, but the brittle material tends to shatter or crack during thread formation and local stresses can cause damage or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the joining system into separate components: a threaded fastener and a brittle material piece with a recess. The threads are formed in the fastener rather than the brittle material, eliminating the risk of cracking while maintaining threaded joining capability
Solution Approach 2:
The recess acts as an intermediary structure that receives the threaded fastener. This mediator allows the fastener to engage with the brittle material without requiring threads to be cut into the brittle material itself, thus preventing shattering and cracking
2Reliability
If adhesives are used to join brittle material parts, then joining can be achieved without threading, but adhesives can introduce contaminants and allow parts to shift relative to one another
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives with a mechanical fastening system. The threaded fastener provides rigid mechanical connection that prevents part shifting while introducing no contaminants, eliminating the harmful effects associated with adhesive use
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 method provides a secure and contaminant-free way to join brittle material pieces, maintaining alignment and withstanding temperature changes without causing undue stress or failure.
Implementation Method 1
soldering to attach the plug to the brittle material piece
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for joining together a pair of brittle material pieces, such as controlled expansion ceramic pieces, involves using a threaded plug joined to a first brittle material piece, to secure a threaded fastener passing through part of the second brittle material piece, thus joining together the brittle material pieces. The threaded plug may be inserted in a plug-receiving hole that may be substantially perpendicular to a fastener-receiving hole in the first brittle material piece. One or both of the plug and the plug-receiving hole may be conical, to facilitate fitting the plug into the plug-receiving hole. The plug may be secured to the first brittle piece by soldering. The system and method provides a secure way of threadedly joining together a pair of brittle material parts, without use of possibly contaminating adhesives, and without a need to put threads on the actual brittle material itself.