Patent ID: 8965738
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for designing a unitary plastic structure comprising at least one integral flexible web having a thickness from 0.5 mm to 1 cm designed to flex about one or more planes of flexation, anchor points for the web, and a radius of curvature comprising: a). entering a finite element model comprising not less than 15000 nodes, of at least the web, anchor points, and radius of curvature of the unitary plastic structure; b). entering into the model from step a) the radius of curvature of the web in use, the planes of flexation of the web, a load force along said planes of flexation, an angle or degree of flexation, the elastic modulus of the plastic, the tangent modulus of the plastic, the Poisson's ratio of the plastic, the yield strength of the plastic, and the density of the plastic to determine if the plastic meets the design requirements of at least the plastic web, anchor points and a radius of curvature; c). if the plastic meets the design criterion of at least the plastic web, anchor points and radius of curvature, defining one or more failure criterion; d). subjecting the model to either: e). storing the failure criterion from step d); f). iteratively with different polymers repeating steps a) through d), using the same comparison in step d) g) comparing the stored failure criterion to select a plastic that has a maximum number of flexes until failure, a maximum stress or deflection until failure or a minimum of deflection over a range of specified loads.