Composite Joining Component Annular Contour for Adhesive Integrity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Adhesives used in composite joining components are sensitive to thermal stresses and mechanical loads during transportation, leading to bond failure before reaching the final joining position, especially when handled in bulk or automated feeding.

Innovation Solution

A composite joining component with an annular contour surface on its application section, which aligns transversely to the joining surface, is designed to apply adhesive around this surface, exploiting differential thermal expansion to enhance adhesion and prevent cracking, allowing for improved handling and automated feeding without adhesive detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If adhesive is applied to the joining surface for transportation, then the composite joining component can be transported and handled in bulk, but the adhesive is sensitive to thermal stresses and mechanical loads leading to bond failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation and bulk handlingVSAvoidadhesive bond integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The annular contour surface is formed on the joining component before adhesive application. This preliminary structural feature creates a geometry that accommodates adhesive shrinkage during cooling, preventing bond failure while enabling bulk handling and transportation of the composite joining component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention exploits differential thermal expansion between the adhesive and the joining component. The annular contour surface allows the adhesive to shrink radially inward during cooling without creating harmful stresses, as the contour geometry accommodates this dimensional change and maintains bond integrity throughout the temperature cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #37Thermal expansion

2Productivity

If adhesive is applied hot and then cooled for transportation, then the composite joining component can be fed automatically, but cracking occurs during cooling due to thermal stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated feedingVSAvoidadhesive layer integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The annular contour surface is specifically designed to accommodate the thermal shrinkage of the adhesive during cooling. As the adhesive contracts, the radial inward movement is guided by the contour geometry, preventing crack formation and maintaining the integrity of the adhesive layer while allowing automated feeding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #37Thermal expansion

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the joining surface by introducing an annular contour. This geometric modification alters the stress distribution during cooling, transforming the thermal shrinkage from a harmful effect into a controlled dimensional change that maintains adhesive integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the joining component is handled in bulk, then productivity increases, but mechanical loads cause adhesive detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebulk handling capabilityVSAvoidadhesive retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The annular contour surface is pre-formed on the joining component before adhesive application and bulk handling. This preliminary geometric feature creates a stress-distributing structure that prevents adhesive detachment during subsequent mechanical handling, enabling reliable bulk processing while maintaining adhesive retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The contour surface geometry is designed to work with thermal expansion and shrinkage characteristics of the adhesive. During cooling and subsequent handling, the radial inward shrinkage of the adhesive is accommodated by the contour, preventing detachment and enabling robust bulk handling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #37Thermal expansion

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

The annular contour surface improves adhesion by reducing cracking and enhancing cohesive strength, making the composite joining components suitable for bulk handling and automated feeding without adhesive loss, ensuring reliable bonding during the final assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

exploiting differential thermal expansion to enhance adhesion and prevent cracking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential thermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2911862B1Composite joining component and method for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 NEWFREY LLC
  • EP2911862B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2911862B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Joining component (12) having a joining axis (13), having a joining surface (20), which extends transversely to the joining axis (13), and having an anchor section (18), wherein an application section (22) for the application of an adhesive is formed on the joining surface (20), and wherein an annular contour surface (26; 36; 44) is formed on the application section (22), said contour surface being aligned transversely to the joining surface (20) and being arranged radially within an outer circumference (23) of the application section (22).