Threaded Connection Vibration Damping via Contact Surface Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Threaded connections experience energy loss due to microsliding, which is a significant vibration-damping mechanism, and existing solutions do not effectively enhance energy losses for improved damping.

Innovation Solution

The configuration of contact surfaces in threaded connections is modified by using an insert with specific geometries, such as quadrilateral, recessed, or circular surface configurations, to increase the area of contact pressure, thereby increasing energy losses through microsliding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the contact surface configuration is modified to increase the area of contact pressure, then energy losses during microsliding increase and vibration damping improves, but the complexity of the connection increases due to inserts or surface modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy lossVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is divided into multiple discrete contact zones separated by voids or recesses, rather than being a continuous surface. This segmentation increases the total area of contact pressure application points while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, thereby increasing energy dissipation through microsliding without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact surface configuration is locally modified in specific areas (creating recesses, voids, or altered topography) rather than uniformly changing the entire surface. This allows concentrated contact pressure in strategic locations to maximize microsliding energy loss while minimizing the overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the contact surface configuration is modified using inserts or recesses, then the area affected by shear forces increases and vibration damping improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy lossVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is segmented into discrete contact zones that can be manufactured as separate features or integrated into the base material through relatively simple processes, balancing the increased energy dissipation capability with manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inserts or modified surface features are integrated within the existing connection structure, nesting the vibration-damping functionality within the conventional connection geometry to minimize additional manufacturing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 modified contact surface configurations enhance energy losses during microsliding, leading to improved vibration damping in threaded connections by increasing the surface area affected by shear forces.

Implementation Method 1

energy loss caused by microsliding in the connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The energy loss caused by microsliding in threaded connections is the most important vibration-damping mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrosliding: Friction

Implementation Method 3

a deformable member provided for limiting an extension of the joint in the direction of a load path derived from an impact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP1957808B1Method and arrangement for vibration absorption
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 SCANIA CV AB
  • EP1957808B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1957808B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1957808B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Method for vibration damping in a threaded connection joining together at least two components which are connected by the threaded connection and each have their respective contact surface facing that of the other. The method is particularly distinguished by the step of modifying the topology of the contact pressure by adapting the configuration of contact surfaces in order to increase the energy loss caused by microsliding at the contact surfaces of the connection which are subject to contact pressure.