Curved Mechanical Interface for Vibration-Free Reciprocating Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical interfaces for transferring reciprocating movements often suffer from vibrations, especially at higher speeds and accelerations, and secure engagement solutions are impractical for frequently interchangeable elements, impacting manufacturing efficiency and costs.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical interface with three laterally and longitudinally spaced interface points, featuring at least one curved contact surface, ensures stable and gap-free engagement, reducing vibrations and facilitating easy mounting and dismounting by maintaining alignment and distributing forces effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If secure engagement is provided by screwing, welding, or press fitting, then vibrations are reduced, but mounting and dismounting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationsVSAvoidmounting and dismounting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into multiple discrete contact points (at least three) distributed across the interface surface. This segmentation allows the interface to achieve stable force distribution and vibration reduction through multiple localized engagement points, while maintaining overall simplicity for quick mounting and dismounting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional single-point or linear contact interfaces to a multi-dimensional distribution of contact points across the interface surface. By spacing contact points both longitudinally and laterally, the interface achieves enhanced stability and vibration control without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If curved contact surface portions are provided, then alignment tolerance is accommodated and engagement stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment toleranceVSAvoidinterface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Curved contact surface portions are incorporated at the contact points to accommodate misalignments and varying manufacturing tolerances. The curvature allows for self-adjusting engagement that maintains stable contact despite dimensional variations, reducing the need for extremely precise manufacturing while managing the added structural complexity through controlled geometric features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP1976364B1A mechanical interface
Publication Date: 2011.09.07 MYDATA AUTOMATION
  • EP1976364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1976364B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1976364B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mechanical interface for transferring a reciprocating movement from one element to another element releasably mountable thereto. The interface comprises at least three interface points, at least two of which being laterally spaced apart, and at least two of which being longitudinally spaced apart. Motion means provides a reciprocating movement, which is transferred from the one element to the other element via at least one of the interface points. The interface point(s) transferring the movement comprises contact portions having curved contact surfaces, such that the curved contact surfaces are in abutment with opposing contact surfaces of the interface point when the elements are mounted, thereby transferring the reciprocating movement.