Tubular Structure with Annular Protrusions for Vibration Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tubular structures face challenges with large clearance between the housing and tubular structures, leading to potential removal issues and inadequate vibration absorption, particularly during seismic events.

Innovation Solution

A tubular structure design featuring annular protrusions and a square ring member with specific dimensions and materials, allowing for secure connection and vibration absorption, even with large clearance, through precise manufacturing and rolling processing techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ring for a stopper is disposed between the housing and the tubular structure to compensate for dimensional accuracy variations, then tube removal prevention is improved, but length-direction vibration absorption capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube removal preventionVSAvoidlength-direction vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: the annular protrusion provides radial positioning and anti-removal capability, while the gap between the ring member's inner peripheral surface and the tubular structure's outer peripheral surface provides axial vibration absorption. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in one function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ring member acts as an intermediary element between the housing and the tubular structure. It provides both the anti-removal function through the annular protrusion engagement and the vibration absorption function through the controlled gap, mediating between the rigid housing and the tubular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the housing is manufactured by casting to achieve ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but dimensional accuracy deteriorates resulting in large clearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing manufacturingVSAvoidclearance between housing and tubular structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ring member with the annular protrusion serves as a self-adjusting mechanism that compensates for the dimensional inaccuracies inherent in cast housing. The protrusion engages with the groove to provide precise positioning, while the gap design allows for self-adjustment to accommodate manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the critical parameters from the housing-tubular structure interface to the ring member-tubular structure interface. By controlling the gap dimension and protrusion geometry in the ring member rather than relying on housing precision, the system achieves both ease of manufacture and functional precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the annular protrusion is fitted tightly into the groove to fix the housing and tubular structure axially, then tube removal prevention is improved, but vibration absorption capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial fixationVSAvoidlength-direction shaking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection functions are segmented into radial and axial components. The annular protrusion engagement handles radial positioning and anti-removal, while the controlled gap between the ring member and tubular structure handles axial vibration absorption. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between tight fixation and vibration absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system transitions from a static tight-fit design to a dynamic design where the gap between the ring member and tubular structure allows controlled movement. This dynamic gap enables the system to absorb vibrations while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing tube removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3369979B1Tubular structure and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 NISSHIN STEEL CO LTD
  • EP3369979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3369979B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP3369979B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

Provided is a tubular structure that, even when clearance between a housing and the tubular structure is large, can prevent tube removal and that is capable of absorbing a certain amount of vibration in a lengthwise direction and a manufacturing method therefor. The present invention is a tubular structure 100 comprising a tube member 1 provided with annular protrusions 12, 22 on a side of an insertion opening 11 that is a tube end part or a receiving opening 21 and, on the outer circumference of the ring member 1, ring members 13A, 13B arranged on an opposite side of the tube end part with respect to the annular protrusions 12, 22 having two side surfaces that are vertical with respect to an axis A of the tube member 1.