L-Shaped Composite Fitting With Spherical Washer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In applications where weight is a critical consideration, such as the aircraft industry, L-shaped fittings made of composite materials face challenges with tensile loading, as they are typically stronger in compression than in tension, leading to potential failure under tensile stress.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a generally L-shaped fitting with angled mounting portions, a joint portion with a concave and convex surface section, and a washer with a partially spherical profile to distribute force effectively, enhancing the fitting's resistance to tensile loading by compressing the resin material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If L-shaped fittings are made of composite materials to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but tensile strength is insufficient leading to potential failure under tensile loading
Solution Approach 1:
The washer incorporates a spherical surface that contacts the concave surface of the fitting at a specific load section. This curved geometry allows for more effective distribution of tensile loads into compressive stresses within the composite material, leveraging the material's superior compression strength while maintaining weight reduction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and stress distribution parameters by introducing a spherical contact surface that transforms tensile loading into localized compression at the load section, thereby utilizing the composite material's stronger compression properties to compensate for its weaker tensile properties
2Adaptability or versatility
If fittings are designed with angled mounting portions for orthogonal surface connection, then connectivity is improved, but stress concentration occurs at the joint portion under tensile load
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical surface of the washer contacts the concave joint portion at a specifically positioned load section, creating a focused compression zone that prevents stress concentration from propagating through the angled joint, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving orthogonal connectivity capability
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 effectively distributes force across the composite material, enhancing its tensile strength and preventing failure under load, thereby improving the durability and reliability of the connector assembly in weight-sensitive applications.
Implementation Method 1
the washer exerts force generally against the joint portion load section when the washer is clamped to the second mounting portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a generally L-shaped fitting with a first mounting portion having a mounting hole(s), a second mounting portion extending generally angled to the first mounting portion and having a mounting hole(s) and a joint portion integrally connecting the two mounting portions. The joint portion has a load section(s) defined between a concave surface section extending between inner surfaces of the first and second mounting portions and a convex surface section extending between outer surfaces of the first and second mounting portions, the load section concave surface section having a radius of curvature. A washer has an outer perimeter surface with a section having a partially spherical profile and is sized such that the spherical surface section is disposed against the joint load section concave surface so that the washer exerts force generally against the joint load section when the washer is clamped to the second mounting portion.