Hollow Linking Block Stamping Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional linking blocks made of solid metal are thick, heavy, and costly to process, leading to inefficient material usage and fabrication.

Innovation Solution

A hollow linking block design featuring a top panel, inner and outer perimeter walls, and holes in the bottom panel, formed using a sheet material stamped into a predetermined shape, reducing material consumption and weight, with optional protruding barrels and inner threads for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a solid metal block is used to make the linking block, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the product becomes thick and heavy, wasting material and increasing processing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The linking block is segmented into a hollow structure with internal cavities rather than using a solid metal block. The block comprises multiple walls (first wall, second wall, third wall, fourth wall) forming enclosed spaces, which reduces material consumption while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed wall framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin wall structures (first wall, second wall, third wall, fourth wall) to form the linking block framework. These thin-walled structures provide sufficient structural strength while dramatically reducing material consumption compared to a solid block, achieving the desired balance between strength and material efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If a solid metal block is used to make the linking block, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the product weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidproduct weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The linking block is divided into a hollow structure with multiple internal cavities formed by the first, second, third, and fourth walls. This segmentation removes unnecessary material from the interior while preserving the load-bearing capacity through the wall framework, thereby reducing product weight without compromising structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thin-walled structures are used to form the enclosing framework of the linking block. The first wall, second wall, third wall, and fourth wall are configured as thin films that provide structural integrity while minimizing weight, replacing the heavy solid metal block with a lightweight hollow construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If a solid metal block is used, then the block can be processed to provide holes, but the processing costs increase due to the solid material requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication capabilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow structure with holes and cavities is formed during the initial stamping process rather than requiring subsequent drilling or machining operations. The first, second, third, and fourth walls are stamped into their final configurations with integrated cavities and openings, eliminating the need for expensive post-processing of solid blocks and improving manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical machining processes (drilling, milling) required for solid blocks with a stamping process that forms the hollow structure and holes in a single operation. This substitution of the forming mechanism dramatically reduces processing costs and improves productivity by eliminating multiple sequential machining steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10508678B2Method of forming linking block

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 LIN JUI KUN

AI summary

A linking block includes a top panel, an inner perimeter wall downwardly extended from the middle of the top panel, a bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the inner perimeter wall, an outer perimeter wall downwardly extended from the outer edge of the top panel and one or multiple holes located in the bottom panel. The invention also provides a method of forming the linking block, which includes a first step of providing a sheet material, a second step of stamping the sheet material into a shape having a top panel, an inner perimeter wall downwardly extended from the middle of the top panel, a bottom panel connected to the bottom edge of the inner perimeter wall and an outer perimeter wall downwardly extended from the outer edge of the top panel, and a third step of creating one or multiple holes in the bottom panel.