Shock Absorbing Device Using Single-Crystal Shape Memory Alloy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shock absorbing devices for the aerospace field lack high strength and rigidity while maintaining excellent attenuation characteristics, and they are not miniaturized or weight-reduced, nor are they free from degassing concerns and temperature stability issues.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorbing device comprising first and second cushioning members made of single-crystal shape memory alloy, arranged with a holding connecting mechanism that applies stress to these members to transition them into a martensite condition, providing high strength, rigidity, and attenuation while being compact and stable across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional shock absorbing materials are used, then attenuation characteristic is achieved, but strength and rigidity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses shape memory alloy (SMA) as a composite material that combines both strength/rigidity and attenuation characteristics. The SMA material exhibits superelasticity and shape memory effects, allowing it to maintain high mechanical strength while simultaneously providing excellent vibration and shock attenuation through phase transformation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transformation parameters of shape memory alloy (austenite-martensite transformation) to achieve both strength and attenuation. By controlling the stress-strain relationship and phase transformation temperature, the material can simultaneously provide high rigidity in the austenite phase and energy dissipation through martensitic transformation during shock absorption.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional shock absorbing devices are designed, then attenuation performance is achieved, but size and weight are large
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy's phase transformation properties enable high attenuation performance in a compact form. The material's ability to undergo reversible phase transformation at specific stress and temperature conditions allows for efficient energy dissipation without requiring large device dimensions, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining attenuation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of shape memory alloy as a high-performance composite material provides superior attenuation-to-weight ratio compared to conventional materials. The material's intrinsic properties of superelasticity and shape memory effect enable compact device design with reduced weight while maintaining excellent vibration and shock attenuation performance.
3Temperature
If polymeric materials are used for locking members, then ease of manufacture is achieved, but temperature stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs shape memory alloy for locking members instead of polymeric materials. The SMA material provides superior temperature stability and mechanical strength while maintaining manufacturability through conventional metal forming processes. The material's phase transformation properties enable reliable locking and release mechanisms that are insensitive to temperature variations, overcoming the limitations of polymeric materials.
4Strength
If shock absorbing device is miniaturized, then weight reduction is achieved, but strength and rigidity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy provides high strength-to-weight ratio that enables miniaturization without compromising strength and rigidity. The material's inherent mechanical properties, including high yield strength and elastic modulus, allow for compact device design where small dimensions do not result in proportional strength loss, unlike conventional materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the stress-strain relationship and phase transformation characteristics of shape memory alloy to maintain high strength in miniaturized components. By optimizing the material's phase transformation parameters and stress state, the device achieves both compact size and high mechanical strength, overcoming the inverse relationship between size and strength in conventional designs.
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 device effectively absorbs vibrations and shocks with reduced size and weight, maintaining high strength and rigidity, and is stable across a wide temperature range, eliminating concerns about degassing and ensuring effective attenuation characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
first cushioning members and second cushioning members made of single-crystal shape memory alloy, arranged with a holding connecting mechanism that applies stress to these members to transition them into a martensite condition
Implementation Method 2
transition them into a martensite condition
Implementation Method 3
characteristics under tension and compression can be set freely
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided are a shock absorbing device that has high strength rigidity and good attenuation characteristics at the same time, a shock absorbing device that can be reduced in weight and size, a shock absorbing device that is free from degassing, and a shock absorbing device that has stable temperature characteristics. A shock absorbing device connects between a first member (110) and a second member (120) so as to be applicable to shock absorption therebetween. The shock absorbing device is provided with: a first shock absorbing member (130) and a second shock absorbing member (140); and a holding and connecting mechanism which holds the first member (110) via the first shock absorbing member (130) and the second shock absorbing member (140) and which is connected to the second member (120). The first shock absorbing member (130), the first member (110), and the second shock absorbing member (140) are disposed in that order. The holding and connecting mechanism sandwiches the first shock absorbing member (130), the first member (110), and the second shock absorbing member (140) from outside the first shock absorbing member (130) and the second shock absorbing member (140), thereby holding the first member (110) while applying stress to the first shock absorbing member (130) and the second shock absorbing member (140).