Composite Ornamental Chain Links for Low-Weight Structural Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ornamental chains made of metal materials like aluminum are heavier than desired despite providing aesthetic and structural support, necessitating a need for lighter alternatives with high aesthetic and functional properties.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a tubular polymer core enclosed by a tubular metal casing is used to create a layered tubular profile, which is then cut and bent into shaped chain links, resulting in an ornamental chain that is up to 70% lighter than traditional metal chains while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ornamental chains are made of metal materials like aluminum to provide aesthetic and structural support, then the chains have high aesthetic and functional properties, but the chains become heavier than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a polymer core with a metal casing to create a hybrid structure. The polymer core provides lightweight properties while the metal casing provides structural strength and aesthetic appearance. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by achieving both high strength and low weight simultaneously, rather than using metal alone which would be heavy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by distributing different material properties to different parts of the chain structure. The internal core uses polymer material for weight reduction, while the external casing uses metal material for strength and aesthetics. This localized material assignment allows each part to contribute its optimal properties, resolving the weight-strength contradiction.
2Strength
If ornamental chains are made of metal materials to ensure structural integrity, then the chains can support loads, but the weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with polymer core and metal casing allows the chain to bear loads effectively while maintaining low weight. The metal casing carries the primary structural load, while the polymer core provides additional support with minimal weight addition, achieving superior load-bearing capacity-to-weight ratio compared to solid metal chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain structure is segmented into two functional parts: the polymer core for internal support and the metal casing for external load bearing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the metal casing providing necessary strength while the lightweight core reduces overall weight.
3Reliability
If traditional metal materials are used for ornamental chains, then the chains have durability, but the weight is up to 70% higher than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The composite construction maintains durability through the metal casing which provides protective and structural functions, while the polymer core adds minimal weight. This material combination achieves reliability comparable to solid metal chains but with up to 70% weight reduction, resolving the durability-weight contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing an ornamental chain includes arranging a cylindrical polymer core inside a tubular metal casing to form a layered tubular profile, cutting and bending the layered tubular profile to form a plurality of shaped chain links, and connecting the shaped chain links to form an ornamental chain. In some embodiments, the forming of the layered tubular profile can include extruding the cylindrical polymer core and inserting the cylindrical polymer core into a hollow section of the tubular metal casing.