Multi-Stage Inversion Tube Mounting for Shock Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securely attaching heavy containers to vehicles, such as welding or bolting, are prone to failure under severe shock loads like vehicle crashes or explosive blasts, which can lead to detachment and safety risks, especially when transporting hazardous materials.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage energy attenuating mounting system that includes a spring element and deformable elements arranged serially, with a perforated base plate and an inversion tube, designed to absorb and dissipate energy through controlled plastic deformation, reducing peak loads and ensuring the container remains attached during extreme events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding or bolting methods are used to attach containers to vehicles, then the attachment strength is improved, but the reliability under severe shock loads deteriorates due to prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates energy attenuating elements (springs and deformable components) that are pre-configured to cushion and absorb shock loads before they can cause failure of the container attachment. These elements are designed to deform controllably under extreme forces, protecting the rigid attachment points from the full impact of crashes or blasts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of the attachment by transitioning from purely rigid connections (welding/bolting) to a hybrid system that includes compliant elements. The springs and deformable components alter the force-displacement characteristics, allowing the system to absorb energy through controlled deformation rather than transmitting all forces directly to the attachment points.
2Strength
If rigid attachment methods are used, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ability to absorb shock energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Energy attenuating elements are integrated into the mounting system to cushion shock loads before they reach the rigid structural components. The springs and deformable elements are pre-positioned to engage during shock events, absorbing energy through elastic and plastic deformation while protecting the main structural integrity of the container and vehicle attachment points.
3Device complexity
If simple attachment methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety under extreme conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: rigid attachment elements for structural integrity, springs for elastic energy absorption, and deformable components for plastic energy dissipation. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system manageability and installation feasibility.
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 system effectively reduces peak loads on container attachments and maintains the integrity of the container and vehicle by absorbing and dissipating energy across multiple stages, preventing detachment and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element and deformable elements arranged serially, with a perforated base plate and an inversion tube, designed to absorb and dissipate energy through controlled plastic deformation
Implementation Method 2
designed to absorb and dissipate energy through controlled plastic deformation, reducing peak loads and ensuring the container remains attached during extreme events
Implementation Method 3
a spring element and deformable elements arranged serially, with a perforated base plate and an inversion tube, designed to absorb and dissipate energy through controlled plastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for a mounting system for attaching a container to a vehicle adapted to resist loads imparted by the container to the mounting system in sequential stages. In one exemplary mounting system a first spring is configured to elastically compress when subjected to an initiation load that exceeds a load imparted to the first spring by the container under static conditions. The first spring may have a useable load range from the initiation load to a maximum load at which the first spring is fully bottomed out. A first deformable member is disposed serially with respect to the first spring, and configured to remain substantially un-deformed until subjected to a first deformation threshold load that equals or exceeds the maximum load at which the first spring is fully bottomed out. A second deformable member may be disposed serially with respect to the first deformable member, and configured to remain substantially un-deformed until subjected to a second deformation threshold load that substantially exceeds the first deformation threshold load.