Tubular Elastomer Shock-Absorbing Attachment Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shock-absorbing solutions for satellites and spacecraft face challenges such as increased mass, cost, and space requirements, and limited adaptability in stiffness, making them unsuitable for mounting instruments and equipment on satellite bodies.

Innovation Solution

A shock-absorbing attachment device comprising a tubular inner and outer part with an elastomer layer, featuring irregular surfaces and threads for enhanced shock-absorption, allowing for easy installation and adaptability in stiffness without adding weight or space, and requiring no new installation techniques or equipment modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If isolation modules with elastomers and metallic parts are installed between interface rings, then shock-absorption capability is improved, but space requirement increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock-absorption capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomer layer is nested within the tubular structure formed by the inner and outer parts, allowing the shock-absorbing material to be contained within the attachment device itself rather than requiring separate isolation modules. This nesting approach enables shock-absorption functionality without increasing the overall space between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the shock-absorption function with the attachment function by integrating the elastomer layer directly into the attachment device structure. The inner part, outer part, and elastomer layer form a unified component that simultaneously provides mechanical attachment and vibration isolation, eliminating the need for separate isolation modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If isolation modules with elastomers and metallic parts are installed between interface rings, then shock-absorption capability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock-absorption capabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device uses composite construction combining rigid metallic parts (inner part and outer part) with flexible elastomer material. This composite approach allows the structure to provide both mechanical strength for attachment and shock-absorption capabilities through the elastomer layer, achieving weight efficiency by using each material where it is most effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the surface area of viscoelastic material is increased to improve stiffness, then stiffness is improved, but the dimensions of the housing must increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestiffnessVSAvoidhousing dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the surface area of the elastomer in the radial direction (which would increase housing dimensions), the invention utilizes the longitudinal dimension by creating an elongated tubular elastomer layer between the inner and outer parts. This allows sufficient elastomer volume for stiffness while maintaining compact radial dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer layer is positioned strategically between the inner and outer tubular parts where it can effectively transmit and absorb forces. The irregular portions of the elastomer are distributed along the longitudinal axis, providing localized shock-absorption zones that optimize stiffness without requiring increased overall housing dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 impacts and vibrations while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the need for overdimensioning and minimizing non-linear behaviors, thus enhancing pointing accuracy and reducing structural complexity.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomer layer between the outer part and the inner part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the insertion body abuts against inner walls of the housing, over the bodies made from viscoelastic material providing shock-absorption for the impacts and vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10400804B2Device for the shock-absorbing attachment of two elements to be assembled, method for producing such a device, set of two elements assembled using such a device, and assembly method

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAS

AI summary

A device for the shock-absorbing attachment of two elements to be assembled, the attachment device including: an inner part that is tubular along an attachment axis; an outer part that is tubular along the attachment axis, and hollow, the inner part being accommodated in the outer part such that the outer surface of the inner part is facing the inner surface of the outer part; an elastomer layer between the outer part and the inner part, the elastomer layer, when seen in section in a longitudinal plane including the attachment axis, including: to either side of the attachment axis, at least three so-called longitudinal portions, and at least two so-called transverse portions.