Composite Tube Joint With Undulated Surfaces for Bending Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical wedge joint designs for composite cylindrical landing gear components face excessive slipping under bending loads, leading to stress redistribution and potential damage due to inadequate handling of torsional and bending loads.

Innovation Solution

A composite tube joint design featuring an end of a composite tube with an inner and outer member, where undulated surfaces on these members physically restrict movement relative to each other, mitigating slipping and stress redistribution under bending moments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If typical wedge joint designs are used for composite cylindrical landing gear components, then axial load transfer is achieved, but excessive slipping occurs under bending loads leading to stress redistribution and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial load transferVSAvoidresistance to slipping under bending loads

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by forming undulated surfaces on the wedge members that conform to the cylindrical geometry of the composite tube. These curved, wavy surfaces engage with complementary undulations on the tube end, creating interlocking contact that resists slipping under bending loads while maintaining axial load transfer capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating undulated surfaces with varying local geometries on the wedge members. These localized undulations are strategically positioned to provide enhanced mechanical interlocking at specific contact zones, allowing the joint to handle both axial and bending loads through distributed local engagement points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If typical wedge joint designs are used, then structural connection is provided, but stress redistribution and damage risk increase under bending moments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint connection strengthVSAvoidstress redistribution and damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The undulated surfaces with their curved geometries distribute bending stresses more uniformly across the joint interface. The wavy profile allows for stress dispersion through multiple contact points along the undulation, preventing stress concentration at single locations and reducing the risk of damage initiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The undulated surface geometry acts as a pre-designed stress distribution mechanism that cushions against bending loads before damage can occur. The interlocking undulations provide inherent stress redistribution pathways that prevent harmful stress concentrations from developing into critical damage zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10935068B2Designs and methods of making of joints for composite components under dominant bending load

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A composite tube joint may comprise an end of a composite tube, an inner member disposed within the end, wherein an outer surface of the inner member has a complementary shape to an inner surface of the end, an outer member concentrically surrounding the end of the composite tube, and an undulated surface configured to mitigate movement of the end of the composite tube relative to at least one of the inner member and the outer member.