Radial Flexure Joint for Compact High-Stiffness Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint systems for small-diameter aerial vehicles, such as missiles, face challenges in balancing stiffness, load capability, volume efficiency, and ease of assembly, often requiring trade-offs that compromise one or more of these structural factors.
Innovation Solution
A joint system comprising radial extensions that are flexible between curved and straight arrangements, allowing for rapid connectivity and separability while maintaining structural integrity, utilizing a support device with radial extensions that engage with a receiving device's notched area, and an actuation mechanism for separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolt size of a bolted joint is increased to increase load capability and stiffness, then load capability and stiffness are improved, but volume usage increases (decreasing volume efficiency)
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system divides the load-bearing function into multiple radial extensions (typically 3-6) that collectively engage with the receiving structure. Each extension carries a portion of the load, allowing the use of thinner, more compact extensions compared to a single large bolt, thereby improving volume efficiency while maintaining load capability
Solution Approach 2:
The radial extensions utilize a radial arrangement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the missile, transitioning from a conventional axial bolt configuration. This dimensional change allows the joint to achieve high stiffness and load capability in radial directions while maintaining a compact longitudinal profile, improving volume efficiency
2Strength
If a single structure is used to meet stiffness requirements, load capability and volume efficiency, then these structural factors are satisfied, but ease of separation or assembly is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The radial extensions are designed with flexible regions that allow them to dynamically change shape during assembly and separation. During assembly, the extensions are in a compressed state that allows insertion; during separation, they expand to engage retention features. This dynamic behavior enables easy assembly and separation while maintaining structural stiffness when engaged
Solution Approach 2:
The radial extensions are pre-configured with curved arrangements that automatically transition to straight arrangements upon engagement with the receiving structure. This preliminary configuration allows the extensions to self-align and engage retention features without requiring complex alignment procedures, simplifying assembly
3Volume of moving object
If other prior art missile restraints are used to meet volume efficiency requirements, then volume efficiency is achieved, but stiffness requirements and load capability requirements are not met since this restraint cannot handle moments
Solution Approach 1:
The radial extensions utilize curved arrangements that provide structural efficiency similar to spherical or cylindrical forms. The curved geometry distributes stresses more effectively than straight configurations, enabling the extensions to handle moments and provide high stiffness with minimal material, thereby achieving volume efficiency without sacrificing structural strength
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 joint system achieves improved stiffness, load capability, volume efficiency, and ease of assembly, enabling rapid and secure connection and disconnection without compromising structural strength, outperforming prior art in meeting all critical factors for small-scale applications.
Implementation Method 1
At least one radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions is configured to be flexible between a first position to provide for at least one of assembly and disassembly of the support device to the receiving device and a second position when the support device and the receiving device are assembled
Data Source
AI summary
A joint system including a support device with a plurality of radial extensions extending in at least a first direction from the support device, each individual radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions terminating at a distal engagement end and a receiving device separate from the support device with a notch area to receive the distal engagement ends of each radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions and a contact area upon which a length of the radial extensions of the plurality of radial extensions engage when the distal engagement end of each radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions are engaged within the notch area. At least one radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions is configured to be flexible between a first position to provide for at least one of assembly and disassembly of the support device to the receiving device and a second position when the support device and the receiving device are assembled. Another system and method are also disclosed.