Composite Swivel Connector With Mounting Ring Against Delamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metal fittings used in the aeronautical field for connecting members are heavy and complex to install, and composite material connectors with fiber reinforcement, like those with a ball swivel, face issues with premature degradation due to pull-out forces during swiveling.

Innovation Solution

A composite material connector with continuous reinforcing fibers forming parallel layers and a housing for a mounting ring that includes a swivel, where the mounting ring is securely fastened to prevent movement and applies compressive force to maintain mechanical cohesion, using a solid lubricant to facilitate swiveling and resist pull-out stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a metal ball swivel is used in a composite connector body, then swiveling function is achieved, but premature degradation occurs due to pull-out forces causing detachment of laminate plies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswiveling functionVSAvoidpremature degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A mounting ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the swivel and the connector body. The mounting ring receives the swivel and transmits forces to the connector body, preventing direct pull-out forces from acting on the laminate plies. This mediator protects the composite structure while maintaining the swiveling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector body is made of composite material with continuous fibers forming stacked plies. The fiber orientation and laminate structure are designed to resist pull-out forces. The composite structure provides both the swiveling capability through proper ply arrangement and resistance against premature degradation through optimized material composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If continuous fibers are stacked in parallel layers to form laminate, then optimal force transmission is achieved, but the structure becomes vulnerable to pull-out forces during swiveling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce transmissionVSAvoidpull-out forces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting ring serves as a mediator that intercepts pull-out forces before they can act on the laminate plies. It distributes these forces around the housing, protecting the continuous fiber structure from direct pull-out loading while maintaining optimal force transmission along the fiber directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector body has different structural characteristics in different regions. The housing portion contains the mounting ring and is designed to resist pull-out forces, while other portions are optimized for force transmission. This local differentiation allows the laminate plies to maintain their strength for force transmission without being vulnerable to pull-out forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the mounting ring is securely fastened to prevent movement, then stability is improved, but the installation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting ring stabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting ring is integrated with the connector body housing, combining two components into a unified structure. This integration ensures stability by eliminating relative movement between the mounting ring and housing, while simplifying installation by reducing the number of separate assembly steps and fastening operations required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides optimal force transmission between connected members while preventing premature degradation of the connector body, ensuring reliable and efficient swiveling without delamination or rupture, and simplifies the installation process.

Implementation Method 1

a solid lubricant is placed on or integrated into the spherical surface of the mounting ring to facilitate the swivelling of the swivel in the mounting ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

the mounting ring exerts a compressive force on a first and a second portion of the connector body in order to maintain mechanical cohesion between the plies of the laminate and the matrix to prevent delamination of the connector body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11268566B2Connector with integrated swivel

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 SKF AEROSPACE FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A connector for connecting two members having a body of composite material consisting of reinforcing fibers embedded in a plastic matrix of resin, for connecting the two members to one another, and having a housing, a mounting ring installed in the housing, a swivel installed in the mounting ring and capable of allowing, by swivelling in the mounting ring, articulation between the two members to be connected, the swivel acting as a fastening area for one of the two members. The reinforcing fibers form, with the resin, plies which, when stacked, form a laminate, and the mounting ring is fastened in the housing of the body of the connector to prevent any movement of the mounting ring relative to the body of the connector.