Wire Mesh Coil Geometry for Higher Load Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire meshes lack optimal resilience and load-bearing capacity, particularly in safety nets, due to limitations in their geometric configuration and material properties, which affects their strength and adaptability to varying stresses.

Innovation Solution

A wire mesh design featuring helices made from individual wires or wire bundles with specifically angled limbs and bending points, allowing for adjustable pitch angles and curvatures, and a method for producing these meshes using a bending device that sets precise geometry, enabling high tensile strength and rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional wire meshes are produced with uniform coil geometry, then manufacturing is simple, but load-bearing capacity and resilience are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidcoil geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the pitch angle of coil sections along the helix length. Different sections have different pitch angles optimized for their specific load conditions, with sections experiencing higher loads having pitch angles that provide greater strength, while sections with lower loads have pitch angles optimized for other performance characteristics. This allows each local region of the wire mesh to have the optimal geometry for its functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying the pitch angle parameter along the length of the helix. The pitch angle is changed from a first value in initial sections to a second different value in subsequent sections, creating a gradient structure. This parameter variation enables the wire mesh to achieve superior load-bearing capacity and resilience compared to uniform geometry, while the changes are implemented through controlled manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If wire meshes use standard bending points, then manufacturing is easy, but resilience and adaptability to stress are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresilienceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality to bending points by providing different geometric configurations for bending points located in different regions of the helix. Bending points in sections with different pitch angles have corresponding adaptations in their geometry, allowing each bending point to be optimized for the specific stress conditions it experiences in its local region, thereby enhancing overall resilience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by creating bending points with varied geometries that can dynamically adapt to different loading conditions. The different bending point configurations allow the structure to respond more effectively to varying stress states, improving resilience by distributing and managing loads more efficiently across the wire mesh structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If helices have varying pitch angles, then load capacity increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidpitch angle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the helix into multiple discrete sections, each with a specific pitch angle. This segmentation allows the complex varying pitch angle profile to be broken down into manageable discrete steps that can be more easily manufactured with standard precision capabilities, while still achieving the overall benefit of pitch angle variation for enhanced load capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design achieves enhanced load capacity, security, and adaptability, allowing for flexible adjustment of mechanical properties and reduced risk of wire breakage during production, while the method ensures efficient and reliable manufacturing with high throughput.

Implementation Method 1

a bending device (74a) which is provided for bending a wire blank (76a) by means of at least one bending mandrel (80a) and at least one bending table (82a)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3574145B1Wire mesh and method for producing a coil for a wire mesh
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 GEOBRUGG AG
  • EP3574145B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3574145B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4d
  • EP3574145B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5d

AI summary

The invention relates to a wire mesh (10a; 10d; 10e), in particular a safety net, comprising multiple coils (12a, 14a; 12d; 12e) which are braided into one another and at least one coil (12a; 12d; 12e) of which is made of at least one individual wire, a wire bundle, a wire strand, a wire rope, and/or another longitudinal element (16a; 16d; 16e) with at least one wire (18a; 18d; 18e) and comprises at least one first limb (20a; 20d; 20e), at least one second limb (22a; 22d; 22e), and at least one bending point (24a; 24d; 24e) that connects the first limb (20a; 20d; 20e) and the second limb (22a; 22d; 22e). According to the invention, when viewed longitudinally parallel to a longitudinal direction (28a; 28d; 28e) of the coil (12a; 12d; 12e), the bending point (24a; 24d; 24e) comprises at least one bending region (34a; 34d; 34e) with a bending curvature and at least one first transition region (36a; 36d; 36e) which is connected to the first limb (20a; 20d; 20e) and which has a first transition curvature that differs from the bending curvature.