Swivel Joint Assembly With Solid-Body Joints for Compact Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary joint arrangements in positioning devices require a large amount of space and have low stiffness, leading to deformation under mechanical stress during high acceleration, which limits their performance in highly dynamic applications.
Innovation Solution
A rotary joint arrangement with a coupling device using two solid joints that allow the second part to rotate relative to the first part about an axis of rotation, featuring a compact design with adjustable stiffness and low rotational frequency, enabling precise and reproducible positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing rotary joint arrangements are used in positioning devices, then the device can achieve basic positioning functionality, but the space requirement increases and stiffness decreases leading to deformation under mechanical stress during high acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the second part is positioned inside the first part along the rotation axis. This nested doll approach allows the rotary joint to achieve compact spatial arrangement while maintaining sufficient stiffness through optimized web section geometry, resolving the contradiction between space requirement and structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of web sections at different locations. The web sections have different thicknesses to optimize stiffness distribution - thicker sections where higher stiffness is needed and thinner sections where flexibility is acceptable. This localized optimization enables the structure to achieve high stiffness-to-space ratio, addressing the contradiction between strength and volume
2Strength
If existing rotary joint arrangements with single solid joint are used, then the structure is simple, but the stiffness is insufficient and deformation occurs during high acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coupling device into multiple discrete web sections (first web section and second web section) with different thicknesses and orientations. This segmentation allows each section to contribute differently to the overall stiffness, enabling the structure to achieve high stiffness under high acceleration while maintaining a relatively simple overall configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple web sections into a unified coupling device that connects the first and second parts. By combining several structural elements with different stiffness characteristics into one integrated coupling device, the system achieves enhanced overall stiffness without proportionally increasing complexity, as the merged structure works synergistically
3Volume of stationary object
If the second part is positioned close to the first part, then the space requirement is reduced, but the rotational stiffness decreases leading to deformation under load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by implementing web sections with spatially varying thicknesses. The web sections have different thicknesses at different locations to compensate for the reduced distance between parts, concentrating stiffness where most needed while maintaining compact overall dimensions, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and rotational stiffness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent effectively creates a composite structural system by combining multiple web sections with different geometric properties and stiffness characteristics. This composite approach allows the coupling device to achieve high rotational stiffness in a compact configuration, as the different web sections work together to distribute and resist applied loads efficiently
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 solution provides a compact and highly stable rotary joint arrangement with adjustable stiffness, allowing for precise positioning and reduced deformation during high acceleration, enhancing the dynamic behavior and positioning accuracy of the device.
Implementation Method 1
A rotation of the first part relative to the second part about the axis of rotation is accompanied by an elastic deformation of the solid joint that connects the first part and the second part
Implementation Method 2
The first web section and the second web section of the first elongated solid body are elastically deformable, such that the middle section of the first solid body joint is movable relative to the first end section of the first solid body joint and to the second end section of the first solid body joint
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The swivel joint assembly (DGA) comprises a first part (15), a second part (70) and a coupling device (KE) having at least one solid body joint (80A, 80B) for connecting the first part (15) and the second part (70) in such a way that the second part is rotatable relative to the first part about an axis of rotation (DZ) extending in a first direction (Z), wherein the first part (15) and the second part (70) each have an extension perpendicular to the axis of rotation (DZ). The second part (70) is arranged axially offset at a distance from the axis of rotation (DZ) relative to the first part (15). The coupling device (KE) comprises a first solid body joint (80A) and a second solid body joint (80B), wherein the first solid body joint (80A) and the second solid body joint (80B) each have two end sections and a middle section connected to the respective end sections via elastically deformable web parts, and the respective end sections of the solid body joints (80A, 80B) are rigidly connected to the second part (70), and the respective middle section of the solid body joints (80A, 20 80B) is rigidly connected to the first part (15).