Wood-Core Shock Absorber Bracket Structure for Stable Load Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbing members for vehicles using hollow metal and wood components face challenges in maintaining positioning accuracy and durability due to the degradation of foamed urethane resin support members, leading to ineffective load absorption and potential local folding.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorbing member design featuring a hollow metal outer member with an inner member that includes a wood core and a solid resin or metal bracket, where the bracket is integrated with the wood member and formed into a bent-deformed shape to securely hold the inner member within the outer member, preventing movement and enhancing positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support member made of foamed urethane resin is used to hold the inner member in the outer member, then the inner member can be positioned and held, but the support member is soft and tends to degrade over time, resulting in poor positioning accuracy and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the support member from soft foamed urethane resin to hard resin or metal materials. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing both high durability (reliability) and maintained positioning accuracy, as the harder materials do not degrade or deform over time like the foamed resin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material selection by offering two distinct material options (hard resin or metal) for the support member. Each material provides different benefits: hard resin offers durability with ease of manufacturing, while metal provides superior strength and dimensional stability. This composite approach allows optimization of both reliability and positioning accuracy based on specific application requirements.
2Reliability
If a bracket made of solid resin or metal is used instead of foamed urethane resin, then positioning accuracy and durability are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the integrated bracket structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bracket structure directly with the inner member (wooden column), creating an integrated component. The bracket is formed as an integral part of the inner member assembly, eliminating the need for separate support members and reducing the number of parts. This merging approach maintains high reliability and positioning accuracy while actually simplifying the overall device structure.
3Strength
If the bracket is made of metal, then strength and durability are improved, but the weight of the shock absorbing member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the bracket from metal to hard resin, which has a lower density and thus reduces weight. The hard resin material maintains sufficient strength for the application while significantly reducing the overall weight of the shock absorbing member compared to a metal bracket.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the principle of local quality by using different materials for different parts of the inner member. The main body remains wooden (lightweight), and only the bracket portion uses hard resin or metal where strength is specifically needed for positioning and holding. This localized material selection optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio.
Data Source
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AI summary
A shock absorbing member (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) includes an outer member (20) being hollow and made of a metal, and an inner member (30, 30A, 30B, 30C) held in the outer member (20). The inner member (30, 30A, 30B, 30C) includes a wood member (31, 31A, 31C) and a bracket (34, 34A, 34B, 34C) that is made of a solid resin or a metal and that is integral with the wood member (31, 31A, 31C). The inner member (30, 30A, 30B, 30C) includes a holding structure (40) configured to position and hold the bracket (34, 34A, 34B, 34C) to the outer member (20).