Elastomeric Connecting Element for Articulated Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting elements between articulated vehicles, such as bellows and canopies, face challenges in achieving high elasticity and weather resistance while minimizing weight, sagging, and toxic gas emission during fires, due to limitations in material properties and the need for numerous corrugations or folds which increase weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of crosslinked silicone rubber threads or yarns with a modulus of 10 to 100 cN/800% elongation, coated with a plastic sheath, provides high elasticity and flame-retardant properties, reducing the need for corrugations and enabling a smooth surface design that maintains extensibility and weatherproofness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous corrugations or folds are provided in the bellows to achieve high extensibility, then the elasticity and stretchability are improved, but the weight increases and sagging occurs due to the additional material and structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by using elastomeric threads with high elasticity (modulus of 10 to 100 cN/800% elongation) instead of conventional rigid threads. This allows the bellows to achieve the required extensibility with fewer corrugations, thereby reducing weight while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining elastomeric threads (providing elasticity) with plastic coating (providing weather resistance and flame retardancy). This composite approach enables the bellows to achieve high extensibility with reduced structural complexity and weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous corrugations or folds are provided in the bellows to achieve high extensibility, then the elasticity and stretchability are improved, but the complexity of the structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by using elastomeric threads with high elasticity (modulus of 10 to 100 cN/800% elongation) instead of conventional rigid threads. This allows the bellows to achieve the required extensibility with fewer corrugations, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining elastomeric threads (providing elasticity) with plastic coating (providing weather resistance and flame retardancy). This composite approach enables the bellows to achieve high extensibility with reduced structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional fabric materials are used for the bellows, then the manufacturing is easier, but the weather resistance is poor and toxic gases are emitted during fires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining elastomeric threads (providing elasticity) with plastic coating (providing weather resistance and flame retardancy). This composite approach maintains ease of manufacture while dramatically improving weather resistance and fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter by specifying elastomeric threads with modulus of 10 to 100 cN/800% elongation and coating them with flame-retardant plastic. This material parameter change improves weather resistance and fire safety while maintaining manufacturability.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional fabric materials are used for the bellows, then the manufacturing is easier, but the fire safety is poor due to toxic gas emission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining elastomeric threads (providing elasticity) with flame-retardant plastic coating. This composite approach maintains ease of manufacture while eliminating toxic gas emission during fires.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter by specifying elastomeric threads with modulus of 10 to 100 cN/800% elongation and coating them with flame-retardant plastic. This material parameter change improves fire safety while maintaining manufacturability.
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 solution results in a significantly lighter, more vandalism-proof, and cost-effective connecting element with reduced sagging and weight, improved flow conditions, and enhanced fire safety, allowing for fewer folds or corrugations and a lower overall vehicle height.
Implementation Method 1
the threads or yarns of the reinforcement are made of crosslinked silicone rubber and in particular have a modulus in the range of 10 to 100 cN/800%, preferably 20 to 80 cN/800% elongation
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The laminar connecting element is extending box-shaped or U-shaped in a cross-section. The connecting element has a laminar reinforcement material coated with elastomer. The reinforcement material has multiple threads or yarns. The threads and yarns are designed rubbery-elastic. The threads are made of a cross-linked silicone rubber. The threads are made of an elastic polyurethane, where the threads or yarns have a plastic coating.