Interlocking Elastic Connector for Controlled Flexible Drill Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic connecting elements have insufficient strength and uncontrollable bending degrees, leading to ineffective force transmission, and the flexible shafts in drills are difficult to clean and sterilize, resulting in resource waste and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An elastic connecting element with a cylindrical outer housing formed by connecting bodies with convex teeth and grooves, allowing for controlled bending and easy cleaning, and a processing method using laser cutting to enhance strength and manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the spring section in the flexible drill is made dense to provide flexibility, then the flexible connection function is improved, but the strength is insufficient and bending degree cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The outer housing is divided into multiple connecting bodies that are connected through convex teeth and grooves. This segmentation allows each connecting body to maintain structural strength while the overall assembly provides flexibility through the articulated connections between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic connecting element combines the outer housing made of connecting bodies with the inner elastic part (spring section). This composite structure integrates the strength and controllability of the rigid connecting bodies with the flexibility of the elastic part, resolving the contradiction between strength and flexible connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spring section is made dense to ensure flexibility, then the flexible connection function is improved, but the bending degree is not well controlled and force transmission is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the outer housing into multiple connecting bodies with standardized convex teeth and grooves enables precise control of bending degree through the geometric constraints of the connection interfaces, while maintaining flexibility through the ability to bend at each joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows control of bending degree by adjusting parameters such as the shape and arrangement of convex teeth and grooves, the number of connecting bodies, and the dimensions of the elastic part, enabling precise control over the flexible connection characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible shaft is made with traditional dense spring structure, then flexibility is provided, but it is difficult to clean and sterilize, requiring disposable use
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented outer housing with connecting bodies creates a structure with larger gaps between components compared to dense spring structures, allowing cleaning solutions and sterilization agents to access and clean all surfaces effectively, enabling reusable applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The design separates the elastic part from the outer housing, allowing the outer housing to be cleaned and sterilized independently. This extraction of the elastic component enables the rigid outer structure to be reused after proper cleaning, reducing waste and improving economic efficiency.
4Strength
If the elastic connecting element is designed with higher strength materials, then strength is improved, but the bending degree becomes harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of rigid connecting bodies with the elastic part creates a composite structure where the rigid portions provide strength and the elastic portions provide controlled flexibility. This allows high strength materials to be used in the outer housing while maintaining controllable bending through the elastic component.
Solution Approach 2:
The design controls bending degree through geometric parameters of the connecting bodies and elastic part dimensions rather than relying solely on material properties, allowing the use of high-strength materials without sacrificing controllability of the bending behavior.
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 solution provides a high-strength elastic connecting element with controlled bending, enabling effective force transmission and facilitating repeated use and sterilization of flexible drills, reducing waste and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic connecting element includes an elastic part and an outer housing sleeved over the elastic part
Implementation Method 2
the two adjacent connecting bodies are connected by fitting the convex teeth of one of the connecting bodies with the grooves of the other connecting body
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an elastic connecting element, a processing method thereof and a flexible drill including the elastic connecting element. The elastic connecting element according to the present disclosure includes an elastic part and an outer housing sleeved over the elastic part, the outer housing being formed by connecting a plurality of connecting bodies; the connecting body including a main body and convex teeth provided at two ends of the main body; a groove being formed between each two adjacent convex teeth in each connecting body, such that the two adjacent connecting bodies are connected by fitting the convex teeth of one connecting body with the grooves of the other connecting body. The outer housing of the elastic connecting element according to the present disclosure is formed by connecting the connecting bodies, the adjacent connecting bodies are connected by fitting the convex teeth with the grooves, the fitness between the convex teeth and the grooves may guarantee a bending function of the elastic connecting element, and meanwhile, a certain limiting function is achieved by the fitness between the convex tooth and the groove, such that a bending range of the elastic connecting element may be controlled, thereby better transmitting an acting force.