Fender Device With Convex Inner Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing demand for fender devices with enhanced energy absorption capacity and improved shock-absorbing performance, while also requiring a smaller size or increased energy absorption for the same size, to mitigate environmental impact and ensure effective protection during ship berthing.
Innovation Solution
The fender device incorporates a tubular shock-absorbing member with first and second convex parts on its inner surface, which are designed to bend along specific peripheral lines during compression, increasing the critical compression ratio and energy absorption capacity by delaying contact and providing additional support, thus enhancing shock-absorbing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the shock-absorbing member is made larger to increase energy absorption capacity, then the energy absorption amount increases, but the size of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the shock-absorbing member by introducing convex parts on the inner surface, which modifies the buckling behavior and increases the critical compression ratio. This allows the same volume to absorb more energy by optimizing the structural parameters rather than increasing the overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces convex parts with curved surfaces on the inner surface of the shock-absorbing member. These curved structures modify the buckling pattern and increase the compression ratio before failure, thereby increasing energy absorption capacity without proportionally increasing the overall volume.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the critical compression ratio is increased to improve shock-absorbing performance, then the energy absorption capacity increases, but the reaction force becomes too high causing damage to the ship
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the inner surface of the shock-absorbing member by introducing multiple convex parts at different positions. This segmentation creates multiple contact points and modifies the buckling progression, allowing the structure to absorb more energy through a more controlled deformation process while preventing excessive reaction force at any single point.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex parts are pre-formed on the inner surface during manufacturing, creating predetermined contact points that guide the buckling process. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that the shock-absorbing member deforms in a controlled manner, increasing energy absorption while preventing sudden spikes in reaction force that could damage the ship.
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 configuration of the fender device increases the critical compression ratio by 7%, leading to improved shock-absorbing performance and increased energy absorption, effectively protecting both the ship and the boarding surface from berthing impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the shock-absorbing member is made of an elastic material such as rubber or the like, and absorbs energy of the shock by being compressively deformed in the direction of the center axis when pushed by the ship
Data Source
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AI summary
A fender device is provided in which shock-absorbing performance is improved. The fender device is attached to a boarding surface at which a ship berths, and comprises a tubular shock-absorbing member. The shock-absorbing member comprises an elastic material, has a center axis extending in the normal direction of the boarding surface, is compressed in the direction of the center axis, and buckles during the process of compression. The shock-absorbing member has an inner surface, and includes a first convex part that is formed along the peripheral direction on the inner surface when not compressed, and a second convex part that is formed along the peripheral direction on the inner surface near the first convex part when not compressed. The inner surface includes a first peripheral line and a second peripheral line. The first peripheral line demarcates a boundary on the opposite side from the second convex part, which is the boundary of the first convex part. The second peripheral line demarcates a boundary on the second convex part side, which is the boundary of the first convex part. The shock-absorbing member bends along the first peripheral line and the second peripheral line during buckling.