Support device with controlled stiffness

Abstract

The invention concerns the field of support devices for equipping various types of structures. More particularly, the invention concerns a support device ( 100 ) comprising a plurality of force transmission parts ( 1, 2 a, 2 b ) in mutual contact so as to transmit forces directed substantially in a predefined direction (D). One of the parts has a convex surface ( 1 a, 1 b ), another having a concave surface ( 20 a, 20 b ) with a larger radius of curvature. The convex surface is in contact with the concave surface in a contact area. At least one of the force transmission parts comprises a block of homogeneous material having at least one recess ( 4 ) in a portion substantially aligned with the contact area along said predefined direction.

1 . A support device, comprising at least two force transmission parts in mutual contact so as to transmit forces directed substantially in a predefined direction, D, one of the two parts having a convex surface (la, lb) and the other of the two parts having a concave surface with a larger radius of curvature than said convex surface, one of said convex and concave surfaces being lined with a sliding material, the convex surface being in contact with the concave surface in a contact area, wherein at least one of the two force transmission parts comprises a block of homogeneous material having at least one recess in a portion substantially aligned with the contact area along said direction, D. 
     
     
         2 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the recess has a shape and dimensions that are chosen according to the stiffness, shape and dimensions of the block of homogeneous material. 
     
     
         3 . The support device according to  claim 2 , wherein the shape and dimensions of the recess are moreover chosen according to the stiffness of the sliding material and the shape and dimensions of the sliding material lining. 
     
     
         4 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the block of homogeneous material of the force transmission part has a recess that is centred in relation to a centre line of the convex surface or of the concave surface of the force transmission part. 
     
     
         5 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the block of homogeneous material of the force transmission part has several recesses distributed in a symmetrical manner in relation to a centre line of the convex surface or of the concave surface of the force transmission part. 
     
     
         6 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the block of homogeneous material of the force transmission part has at least one recess in a face of the force transmission part opposite said convex surface or said concave surface. 
     
     
         7 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the force transmission part comprises two parts assembled together along an assembly surface to form the block of homogeneous material and wherein the recess is formed at the level of the assembly surface. 
     
     
         8 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one recess is filled with a filler material having a stiffness that is less than the stiffness of the homogeneous material of the block. 
     
     
         9 . The support device according to  claim 8 , wherein the filler material is chosen from the group comprising aluminium, bronze and ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete. 
     
     
         10 . The support device according to  claim 8 , wherein the recess passes through the block of homogeneous material of the force transmission part from end to end.