Curved Fiber Plastic Spring Element Reducing Stress Peaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bending spring elements made of fiber-reinforced plastic face challenges in absorbing mechanical stresses efficiently while maintaining a low dead weight, often resulting in oversized designs due to the need for large cross-sectional areas in deformed regions, which increases intrinsic weight and reduces mechanical resilience.
Innovation Solution
The design features a first outer surface convexly curved in the longitudinal direction and a second outer surface concavely curved in the transverse direction in the bending region, distributing deformation forces evenly and reducing local stress peaks, allowing for a constant thickness and enhanced mechanical load-bearing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a large cross-sectional area is used in the bending area to absorb deformation forces, then the mechanical resilience and stress absorption capability are improved, but the dead weight and intrinsic weight of the spring element increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the cross-sectional area of the bending spring element along its length. The cross-section is enlarged specifically in the bending area where mechanical stresses occur, while maintaining a smaller cross-section in non-bending regions. This localized dimensioning provides the necessary mechanical resilience at the bending area without increasing the dead weight of the entire spring element, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
2Strength
If a larger cross-sectional area is predetermined in the bending area, then the stress absorption capability is improved, but the design becomes oversized in non-bending areas increasing dead weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making the cross-sectional area position-dependent along the spring element. The cross-section is specifically enlarged only in the bending area where stress absorption is needed, while the non-bending areas maintain a smaller, more compact dimensioning. This resolves the contradiction by providing adequate stress absorption capability without creating an oversized design throughout the entire spring element.
3Ease of manufacture
If the first outer surface is flat or straight in the transverse direction, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the flexural strength in the bending region is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the curvature principle by designing the first outer surface of the bending spring element to be curved in the transverse direction rather than flat or straight. This curvature in the bending area increases the flexural strength by optimizing the stress distribution during deformation. The curved surface geometry enhances the bending resistance without significantly complicating the manufacturing process, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and flexural strength.
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
This configuration enhances the flexural strength and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the bending spring element, reducing weight and preventing premature fatigue, while maintaining advantageous spring properties and long-term stability.
Implementation Method 1
The bending spring element has a bending region in which the bending spring element can be elastically deformed when a force is applied and generates a restoring force directed counter to the force application
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~9
AI summary
A bending spring element (12) made of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material with fibers arranged longitudinally along the bending spring element (12) and with at least one bending region (2, 4) exhibiting a longitudinal curvature, has, in an unloaded state, a first outer surface (7, 10) curved in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the bending region (2, 4). The bending spring element (12) also has a second outer surface (8, 11) opposite the first outer surface (7, 10) in the bending region (2, 4), which is also curved in a transverse direction. The bending spring element can have a constant thickness over a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the bending region (2, 4). It is also possible that the bending spring element (12) has a larger cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the bending region (2, 4) than in an adjacent region (5).The bending spring element (12) has at least one spring leg section (3) with an S-shaped profile between two deflection bending regions (2), wherein at least one transversely curved outer surface (10, 11) is formed in the longitudinally curved bending regions (4) of the spring leg section (3).