Thin Flexure Joint Recess Layout for Constant Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thin-point joints in weighing technology face a challenge in maintaining strength under normal stresses while reducing flexural rigidity, often resulting in reduced stability and material stress hotspots due to material removal techniques.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates specially shaped recesses positioned and sized to maintain strength by increasing material thickness beyond the thin point, with the thin point remaining as a neutral zone of solid material, and strategically placed recesses that maintain constant strength properties along the joint, reducing flexural rigidity without compromising strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If material is removed from thin areas to reduce bending stiffness, then the pivoting resistance is minimized, but material stress hotspots are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending stiffnessVSAvoidmaterial stress hotspots
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses extend only partially through the thickness of the thin section rather than completely removing material. This partial action approach reduces bending stiffness sufficient for the application while leaving enough material to avoid creating stress concentration hotspots that would occur with complete through-cutting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3252443B1Thin flexure joint
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 WIPOTEC GMBH
  • EP3252443B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3252443B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3252443B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a thin point joint with two material sections connected to one another via a material constriction (thin point), the material sections being provided with recesses in such a way that the strength existing in the thin point with regard to normal stresses or bending stresses is kept largely constant within a definable distance from the thin point.