Tube Socket Wedge Joint for Additively Manufactured Nodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional joining techniques, such as welding, are not viable for additively manufactured parts in transport structures, particularly for tubes and extrusions, due to their complex geometries and materials, necessitating the development of new methods to securely connect these components.
Innovation Solution
The use of additively manufactured nodes with sockets and wedges, where tubes are inserted along non-parallel axes, and secured with removable tapered wedges and spacers to prevent galvanic corrosion, utilizing adhesives or blind fasteners for connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional welding techniques are used to join tubes to parts, then strong connections can be achieved, but these techniques are not viable for additively manufactured parts with complex geometries and materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a node as an intermediary component that connects additively manufactured parts to tubes. The node includes a socket that receives the tube and a wedge mechanism that secures the tube within the socket, enabling connection of additively manufactured parts without requiring welding of the parts themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: the node (with socket and wedge) and the tube. This segmentation allows the additively manufactured part to connect to the tube through the node interface, avoiding the need to weld the additively manufactured part directly while maintaining connection integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tubes are inserted into sockets along non-parallel axes to accommodate complex geometries, then flexibility in design is improved, but the complexity of the connection mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket in the node is designed with curved surfaces and a tapered geometry that can accommodate tubes inserted at various angles along non-parallel axes. The curved inner surface of the socket and the tapered wedge work together to guide and secure tubes regardless of their insertion angle, providing design flexibility without requiring multiple specialized connection points.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If spacers are inserted between tubes and the socket to reduce galvanic corrosion, then material compatibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical insulation spacers are inserted between the tube and the socket to act as an intermediary that prevents direct electrical contact between dissimilar metals. This eliminates galvanic corrosion by breaking the electrical circuit required for corrosion to occur, while the spacers are simple cylindrical components that do not significantly increase assembly complexity.
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
This method provides flexible and cost-effective connections for complex geometries, reducing galvanic corrosion and enabling the use of alternative connection techniques beyond traditional welding, enhancing the structural integrity and fuel efficiency of transport structures.
Implementation Method 1
a wedge can be between the first and second tubes to secure the first and second tubes to the socket
Implementation Method 2
The at least one spacer can separate a surface of the first and second tubes and a surface of the socket. The surface of the first and second tubes can be separated from the surface of the socket so as to reduce galvanic corrosion
Implementation Method 3
The wedge can be attached to the socket via an adhesive
Implementation Method 4
the wedge can be attached to the socket via a fastener; and the fastener can be a blind fastener
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for joining tubes in transport structures are presented herein. A part having an attached node with a socket can be joined with tubes. The tubes can be placed along nonparallel axes within the socket; and a wedge can be used to secure the tubes to the socket. The wedge can be secured between the tubes by using a fastener, such as a blind fastener; alternatively, or additionally, the wedge can be secured between the tubes using an adhesive.