Tubular Resin Bracket Structure for Strength Without Weight Gain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brackets that incorporate reinforcing ribs for enhanced strength and durability often result in increased weight, which is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A tubular bracket design featuring column portions and bridging portions with a plate portion extending along the column portions, where the width of the bridging portions tapers from the ends to the center, and includes a reinforcing portion with inclined ends, to distribute stress and reduce weight while maintaining strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a reinforcing rib is added to the bracket, then strength and fatigue resistance are improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing reinforcing ribs only at specific locations where stress concentration occurs, rather than uniformly across the entire bracket. The reinforcing ribs are strategically placed at the column portions and bridging portions to enhance strength locally where needed, while keeping other areas lightweight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is segmented into multiple functional parts including column portions, bridging portions, and reinforcing ribs as separate structural elements. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific function, enabling weight reduction in non-critical areas while maintaining strength in critical zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a reinforcing rib is added to the bracket, then durability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing ribs are locally applied at critical stress points to enhance durability where required, rather than adding weight uniformly throughout the bracket structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket structure is divided into functional segments that can be independently optimized, allowing durability enhancement through targeted reinforcing elements without compromising overall weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Weight of moving object

If the width of bridging portion is reduced, then weight is reduced, but stress concentration occurs at connecting portions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidstrength at connecting portions
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bridging portion features variable cross-sectional width with local quality optimization - wider at connecting portions to prevent stress concentration and narrower at intermediate portions to reduce weight. This non-uniform geometry strategically places material where structurally necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting portions incorporate curved or tapered transitions rather than sharp corners, which smooths stress distribution and prevents stress concentration while maintaining weight efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11920651B2Bracket
Publication Date: 2024.03.05 PROSPIRA CORP
  • US11920651B2 patent drawing
  • US11920651B2 patent drawing
  • US11920651B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a bracket that has excellent durability while curbing an increase in weight. A bracket (1A) that has an opening (A) is made of a resin and is a tubular bracket, which has a pair of column portions (11) and a pair of bridging portions (12), in which the opening (A) is defined by the column portions (11) and the bridging portions (12). A plate portion (13) is included in at least one of the column portions (11), and in one of the bridging portions (12), a width (W1) of a bracket outer circumferential side outer surface (12f1) of the bridging portion (12) in an opening penetrating direction is maximum at an extending direction end (12e) of the bridging portion (12) in a view in an extending direction of the column portions (11).