Rotary Joint with Compensation Gap for Torsional Load Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional framework construction methods fail to efficiently compensate for additional torsional moments introduced into joints, leading to increased weight and material usage due to the need for local strengthening, which nullifies weight advantages.
Innovation Solution
A rotary joint design featuring concentrically nested shells with a compensation gap, where strut holding fixtures with flange portions extend between the shells, allowing sliding members to shift and neutralize bending moments, and a framework construction kit using these joints with interconnection struts and snap-fit connectors for adjustable lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If cutter milled struts are used between parallel longitudinal support bars to decrease beam weight, then weight is reduced, but additional torsional moments are introduced into the attachment joints requiring local strengthening
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is segmented into an outer shell segment and an inner shell segment that are concentrically arranged and spaced apart by a compensation gap. This segmentation allows the joint to handle torsional moments through the compensation gap while maintaining lightweight strut connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shell segment is nested concentrically within the outer shell segment, creating a compact joint structure. The strut holding fixtures are arranged in openings of the outer shell segment with flange portions extending into the compensation gap,实现ing efficient space utilization and moment compensation.
2Strength
If local strengthening means are added to compensate for torsional moments in joints, then joint strength is improved, but weight advantages are nullified
Solution Approach 1:
The joint incorporates a compensation gap between the outer and inner shell segments that allows dynamic adjustment and movement to accommodate torsional moments. This dynamic design eliminates the need for static local strengthening, maintaining the lightweight advantage while ensuring joint strength.
3Strength
If conventional rigid joints are used to ensure structural integrity, then strength is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The joint design changes the structural parameters by introducing a compensation gap and allowing rotational movement between the outer and inner shell segments. This enables the joint to adapt to different loading conditions and framework configurations while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed moment compensation mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~14
Figure 15~16
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a rotary joint (10), comprising an outer shell segment (1) having the outer shape of a solid of revolution, the outer shell segment (1) having a plurality of openings (4) arranged in the outer surface; an inner shell segment (2) having the outer shape of the solid of revolution of the outer shell segment (1), the inner shell segment (2) being aligned concentrically with the outer shell segment (1) and spaced apart from the outer shell segment (1) by a compensation gap; and a plurality of strut holding fixtures (11), the strut holding fixtures (11) having a hollow interior (12) and a flange portion (13), wherein each of the strut holding fixtures (11) is arranged in one of the plurality of openings (4) and the flange portion (13) extends within the compensation gap between the inner shell segment (2) and the outer shell segment (1) in each case; a method for constructing a framework is also disclosed.