Shock-absorbing bumper with segmented plate pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bumpers with rotating abutments suffer from rapid damage due to a small shock-receiving surface, leading to mechanical weakness and reduced durability during vehicle docking operations.
Innovation Solution
A shock-absorbing bumper design featuring a plate-type interposition pad with multiple connecting axes extending transversely to the direction of movement, which increases the shock-receiving surface area and distributes forces, while using elastically deformable materials and connecting pins to enhance mechanical resistance and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating abutment with a roller is used to form the shock-receiving surface, then the bumper can absorb shocks, but the shock-receiving surface area is small leading to rapid damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is divided into multiple zones (first zone, second zone, third zone) connected to the support by separate connecting axes, allowing the shock-receiving surface to be segmented into multiple areas that distribute the impact force across different connection points
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting axes are arranged to extend transversely to the direction of movement, changing the orientation from a single-point contact to a multi-dimensional distribution of force across the plate structure
2Reliability
If the shock-receiving surface area is increased to distribute shocks, then durability improves, but the mechanical strength of the pad-support connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between pad and support is segmented into multiple connecting axes distributed across the pad structure, so that the load is divided among multiple connection points rather than concentrated at a single point
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the pad have different connection characteristics - the first zone has a connecting axis extending in the direction of movement, the second and third zones have connecting axes extending transversely, optimizing the local mechanical properties for their specific functional requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If connecting pins are used to connect pad zones to support, then assembly and disassembly becomes easier, but the connection points become vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system uses multiple separate connecting axes instead of a single rigid connection, allowing individual axes to be replaced if damaged while maintaining the overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable material of the support provides beforehand cushioning that absorbs shock energy before it reaches the connecting pins, reducing the stress on these connection points
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 design effectively increases the shock-receiving surface area, reduces stress on connecting pins, and enhances mechanical resistance, leading to improved durability and reduced wear, allowing for easier assembly and disassembly while maintaining mechanical strength.
Implementation Method 1
said support being made at least partially of an elastically deformable material to absorb the shocks undergone by the so-called active surface of the pad
Data Source
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AI summary
The bumper (1) has a pad (8) interposed between a support (2) and an element (21) i.e. platform. The support is partially made of elastically deformable material for damping frontal impacts subjected by an active impact receiving surface of the pad during collision of another element (20) e.g. lorry, with the former element. The pad has two connection zones (12) that are connected to the support by connection axles (15). The axles are extended transversally to a displacement direction (D) of a strip type elongated plate (9) of the pad when the plate is subjected to frontal impact.