Ball and Socket Connectors with Composite Materials for Creep Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball and socket connectors made from the same material face issues with creep under tension and compression, leading to potential deformation and reduced stiffness, which affects their reliability and functionality in support structures.
Innovation Solution
The use of composite materials for ball and socket connectors, where the socket is made of a stiffer material like aluminum to reduce creep and the ball is made of a softer material like ABS plastic, with an over-molded grip strip for enhanced gripping, allowing for improved stiffness and reduced deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single material is used for both ball and socket connectors, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but creep resistance and structural stiffness deteriorate due to inability to optimize materials for different stress conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by using different materials for the ball and socket portions of the connector. Specifically, the ball is made from a material with high compressive strength while the socket is made from a material with high tensile strength and creep resistance. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific stress conditions, thereby improving overall reliability and creep resistance without requiring complex multi-material construction processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different material properties to different parts of the connector based on their functional requirements. The ball portion uses materials optimized for compressive loading, while the socket portion uses materials optimized for tensile loading and resistance to creep. This localized material optimization resolves the contradiction by improving creep resistance in critical areas without requiring the entire connector to be made from complex composite materials.
2Ease of operation
If softer material is used for ball portion, then ease of gripping and mating is improved, but structural stiffness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the ball portion softer to improve gripping ease while keeping the socket portion stiffer to maintain structural integrity. The softer ball material deforms slightly during insertion to facilitate mating, while the stiffer socket material provides the necessary structural support and resistance to deformation under load. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and structural stiffness.
3Reliability
If stiffer material is used for socket portion, then creep resistance is improved, but ease of deflection for mating deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality - the socket is made from stiffer material with high creep resistance to ensure reliability under tensile load, while the ball is made from softer material that provides the necessary deflection for easy mating. The softer ball acts as a compliance element that facilitates insertion without requiring the socket material to be less stiff.
4Strength
If composite materials are used for ball and socket, then structural stiffness and creep resistance are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials to improve structural stiffness and creep resistance by using materials optimized for their specific stress conditions. The manufacturing complexity is managed by selecting materials and processes that allow for relatively straightforward production of the two-material connector, such as overmolding or assembly of pre-formed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the manufacturing complexity issue by applying parameter changes - selecting composite materials that can be processed using standard manufacturing techniques and adjusting material properties to achieve the desired balance between performance and manufacturability. This allows the connector to benefit from composite material advantages without requiring complex or specialized manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector includes a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors. The internal cavity end portion may be of a material that is less subject to creep, and which may have high stiffness. The socket end portion may be made of a softer material that allows for sufficient deflection to allow for mating but is not as subject to creep as this portion is predominantly in compression.