Multi-Surface Bearing for Pendulum Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pendulum impact testers with U-shaped hammers face challenges in maintaining a large enough swing-through space due to the limited width of the trestle, leading to inefficient use of abutment surfaces and increased material consumption and calibration needs, especially in Charpy impact tests.

Innovation Solution

A bearing piece with multiple flat contact surfaces and adjustable installation directions is designed to maximize the usable surface area and extend the service life by allowing multiple installation positions and easy replacement of worn surfaces, ensuring precise impact absorption and reduced material consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the trestle width is reduced to accommodate the U-shaped hammer within limited space, then the swing-through space is maintained, but the usable abutment surface area is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusable abutment surface areaVSAvoidswing-through space clearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment is divided into multiple separate bearing pieces, each with its own contact surface. This segmentation allows the abutment components to be arranged optimally within the limited trestle width while maintaining adequate swing-through clearance. The modular structure enables flexible positioning to maximize usable surface area without compromising the hammer's oscillation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of expanding the abutment surface in the horizontal plane (which would reduce swing-through clearance), the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by providing multiple contact surfaces at different heights and orientations on the bearing pieces. This allows the usable abutment area to be increased without encroaching on the horizontal swing-through space required by the U-shaped hammer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the abutment surface area is increased to improve sample support, then the material consumption and calibration needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact absorption precisionVSAvoidabutment material consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Each bearing piece is designed with multiple contact surfaces that can serve different functions. The same bearing piece can be used for various sample types and test configurations by utilizing different contact surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple dedicated abutment components, thereby decreasing overall material consumption while maintaining reliable impact absorption across different testing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing pieces are designed to be replaceable rather than permanent fixtures. When a contact surface becomes worn or damaged, only the individual bearing piece needs to be replaced rather than the entire abutment structure. This approach reduces material consumption by allowing the recovery and continued use of the majority of the abutment components, replacing only the worn elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Duration of action of stationary object

If multiple contact surfaces are provided on the bearing piece, then the service life is extended, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabutment service lifeVSAvoidbearing piece structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing piece is segmented into multiple contact surfaces that are integrated into a single component. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for specific loading conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The modular contact surfaces can be independently worn or damaged without affecting the entire bearing piece, thereby extending service life through selective utilization of remaining surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple contact surfaces are merged into a single integrated bearing piece rather than using separate components. This combining approach extends service life by allowing the bearing piece to be used until all contact surfaces are worn, while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate replaceable components. The integrated design maintains structural simplicity despite having multiple functional surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 bearing piece enhances the service life of pendulum impact testers by allowing multiple uses of the same abutment surfaces, reducing material consumption, and maintaining precise impact absorption, thereby optimizing the testing process and minimizing downtime for calibration and replacement.

Implementation Method 1

The bearing piece has at least one contact surface for a sample, which is suitable for absorbing an impact force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force absorption: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3184987B1Bearing support for a thrust bearing of a pendulum striking mechanism
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 ZWICKROELL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3184987B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3184987B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3184987B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bearing (20), usable in an abutment of a pendulum impact tester and suitable for absorbing an impact force, e.g., in a Charpy impact test, has at least one first bearing surface (65) for a specimen. A second bearing surface (66), suitable for a further specimen, is at least partially spaced from the first bearing surface (65). The bearing surfaces (65, 66) are arranged on the bearing (20) such that, viewed from all sides, the first bearing surface (65) extends along a first bearing surface (70) at an angle (69) of no more than 90°. The second bearing surface (66) extends along a second bearing surface (71) at an angle of no more than 90°. Between the bearing surfaces (70, 71) is an end face (80) of a body (89) of the bearing (20). The front area (80) has the bearing surfaces (65, 66).