Fixing Mechanical Joint Solutions

How lightweight wreaks havoc on #EV designers.                                              Preventing retention loss in soft joints or #plastics

Written by Ryan Bostick | Sep 27, 2022 1:37:44 PM

Electric vehicles are built with soft joints or mechanical combinations, including plastic and soft metals like aluminum. Aluminum and plastic combinations combined with innovations to increase the strength of the material allow for a lightweight vehicle. The lighter particle while maintaining safety, the longer the range will be that new programs can offer. These new programs have increased the capacity by 25-30%. 

Maintaining Tension in threaded joints. 

Joint retention is critical in designing any mechanical parts that can loosen and come apart without proper joint retention, leading to the device’s failure. Two primary ways to achieve joint retention are using a hard joint and applying adequate torque to a threaded fastener. A hard joint comprises multiple parts that work together with similar strength. An example of a proper joint would be a welded connection of two steel parts. By contrast, a soft joint is less strong and is more likely to come apart under stress. Therefore, it is essential to use the correct type of joint for the application. Soft joints should only be used in applications not subject to high-stress levels. In addition, care must be taken to apply the correct amount of torque to threaded fasteners. By following these guidelines, designers can ensure that their devices function correctly and safely. Whether a soft joint or a thermal expansion, #evdesignemust accounts for soft joint loosening issues throughout the vehicle.  

Soft Joint Locking Solutions 

A spring washer - also known as Bellville®- prevents vibrations caused by varying temperatures when designing mechanical solutions involving metal parts working together; it allows engineers more significant control over how much force is put onto specific areas while preventing any harm from coming near other vital components inside vehicles built today like copper buses bars, terminal connections, and anywhere that plastic is joined to metal.   

Many companies in the electronics and EV markets have started to use a product called a Crest Cup® washer. This product is made by Crest® and acts like a spring washer, keeping constant tension on a joint even during relaxation or thermal expansion. The crest cup washer also has additional benefits over a spring washer. This product is becoming increasingly popular in the electronics and EV markets due to its superior performance and usefulness. A spring effect, patch glue, or other mechanisms are available for your soft joints. If you are designing a vibratory joint with soft metal, plastics, or high heat potential, sign up for our courses and qualifying tools today for more help choosing the best solution.   

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