Rotational Joint Closure Edge Geometry for Wear-Resistant Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotational joints, such as ball joints, suffer from misalignment and reduced service life due to limited coupling area between the lamination and the cap end, leading to wear and tear of internal components.
Innovation Solution
A rotating joint design featuring a non-right angled edge on the closure member, coupled with a lamination that secures the stud within the housing, disperses stress over a larger surface area, enhancing durability and reducing susceptibility to deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a right angled straight edge is used on the cap end, then the manufacturing is simple, but the coupling area between lamination and cap end is limited causing misalignment and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional right-angled straight edge with an asymmetric curved edge profile on the cap end. This curved edge provides a larger surface area for lamination contact, improving coupling stability and preventing misalignment while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard forming processes.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the lamination bends over a right angled edge during manufacturing, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the lamination contacts only a marginal surface reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a localized curved edge profile specifically at the lamination contact region of the cap end. This localized geometric modification concentrates the stress distribution improvement where it is most needed (at the lamination interface) without complicating the overall cap end structure or manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If a small surface area interface is used between lamination and cap end, then the component design is compact, but the cap end misaligns and moves during use causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flat right-angled edge with a curved edge profile that follows a circular arc. This curvature increases the contact surface area between the lamination and cap end, distributing forces more evenly and preventing cap end movement and misalignment during operation, thereby improving reliability.
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 non-right angled edge design improves stress dispersion, increasing the durability and longevity of the rotational joint by distributing forces more evenly, thereby reducing the likelihood of component misalignment and wear.
Implementation Method 1
a lamination coupled to the non-right angled edge for securing the proximal end within the internal chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating joint and methods of making same are provided. The rotating joint comprises a housing having an external mounting surface, and internal housing members defining an internal chamber with an internal surface forming a spherical segment symmetric about a center point. A stud having a longitudinal axis passes through the center point, and a proximal end having a surface defining a spherical segment matching the internal surface of the at least one internal housing member. The proximal end permits the stud to rotate about its longitudinal axis. A closure member secures the proximal end within the housing. The closure member comprises a non-right angled edge positioned between an external surface and a lateral surface of the closure member. A lip of the housing abuts the lateral surface and comprises a lamination coupled to the non-right angled edge for securing the proximal end within the internal chamber.