A bistable energy absorption device based on tensegrity structure

Abstract

The present invention discloses a bistable energy absorption device based on a tensegrity structure, comprising at least one energy absorption module; the energy absorption module comprises a base plate, an energy absorption unit, a loading node and a connecting rope, and four energy absorption units are arranged on the base plate in the form of a square matrix, and a connecting rope is connected between the loading node and the movable plates of the four energy absorption units; the energy absorption unit also comprises an L-shaped arm, an elastic element and an elastic rope; when not subjected to external force, the elastic element is used to maintain the parallel relationship between the movable plate and the base plate; when subjected to external force, the elastic element is used to drive the movable plate to move toward the base plate; that is, as long as the loading node is impacted, the device can absorb energy through overall deformation, thereby solving the problem that the prior art can only absorb energy by local deformation; and this structural deformation can achieve excellent energy absorption effect and can be used repeatedly, that is, it also solves the dilemma that the prior art cannot take into account both energy absorption effect and reuse.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of energy absorbing devices, and in particular to a bistable energy absorbing device based on a tensegrity structure. Background Art

[0002] Energy-absorbing materials are widely used to protect people and objects. Among them, mechanical metamaterials are widely used due to their special properties such as ultra-lightness and ultra-rigidity.

[0003] Energy-absorbing materials are a class of materials specifically designed to absorb and dissipate energy during collisions, impacts, and other high-energy events. These materials are widely used in automotive, aerospace, sports safety, and building safety applications. Their primary function is to convert impact energy into other forms of energy (such as heat) through mechanisms such as deformation, fracture, or phase change, thereby protecting people and objects. However, current energy-absorbing materials, including metal foams, honeycomb materials, and mechanical metamaterials, face a trade-off between energy absorption capacity and reusability.

[0004] Specifically, materials with strong energy absorption capabilities are often only single-use, while reusable energy-absorbing materials often have weak energy absorption capabilities. Furthermore, considering real-world scenarios, whether a bird crashes into an airplane fuselage or a bullet strikes a bulletproof vest, the actual impact area typically only accounts for a small fraction of the total surface area of ​​the object being struck. However, existing materials cannot fully utilize the energy absorption capacity of all components when subjected to localized impacts, thus limiting the overall energy absorption effect.

[0005] Therefore, developing a new ideal energy-absorbing material to address the impact challenges faced in real-life collisions is of paramount importance. This ideal energy-absorbing material must be lightweight and possess strong energy absorption capacity, particularly when impacts occur within a confined area. Furthermore, this energy absorption capacity should not significantly decrease with repeated use and should not be affected by impact velocity. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bistable energy absorption device based on a tensegrity structure to solve the problem that the existing technology is only applicable to local areas and is difficult to reuse.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a bistable energy absorption device based on a tensegrity structure, comprising at least one energy absorption module; the energy absorption module comprises a base plate, an energy absorption unit, a loading node and a connecting rope, four of the energy absorption units are arranged on the base plate in the form of a square matrix, and the connecting rope is connected between the loading node and the movable plates of the four energy absorption units; the energy absorption unit also includes an L-shaped arm, an elastic element and an elastic rope; one of the L-shaped arms is arranged on the movable plate, and the other L-shaped arm is arranged on the base plate, and the two L-shaped arms are connected to each other. The L-shaped arms are respectively connected to the two ends of the elastic element, so that when the movable plate and the base plate are parallel to each other, the elastic element is placed in the space surrounded by the two L-shaped arms; multiple elastic ropes are surrounded by the L-shaped arms, and the two ends of the multiple elastic ropes are respectively connected to the movable plate and the base plate; when the bistable energy absorbing device is not subjected to external force, the elastic element is used to maintain the parallel relationship between the movable plate and the base plate; when the bistable energy absorbing device is subjected to external force, the elastic element is used to drive the movable plate to move toward the base plate.

[0008] In one embodiment, the L-shaped arm includes a long arm segment and a short arm segment that are vertically connected to each other, the long arm segment of one L-shaped arm is connected to the movable plate, and the long arm segment of the other L-shaped arm is connected to the base plate, the two short arm segments extend toward the opposite long arm segments respectively, and the elastic element is connected between the two short arm segments.

[0009] In one embodiment, each of the energy absorbing modules includes two connecting ropes, and each of the connecting ropes connects two energy absorbing units that are diagonally opposite to each other.

[0010] In one embodiment, the plurality of energy absorbing modules are arranged in an array in the same plane, and a first rigid connecting rod is connected between adjacent loading nodes.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bistable energy absorbing device further includes a force-bearing plate, and a second rigid connecting rod is connected between the plurality of loading nodes and the force-bearing plate.

[0012] In one embodiment, the plurality of energy absorbing modules are arranged in a stacked manner, and a first rigid connecting rod is connected between adjacent loading nodes.

[0013] In one embodiment, in the same energy absorbing module, the paths for the multiple movable plates to move toward the base plate are all achieved in a manner of moving backward toward the location of the loading node.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0015] When no external force is applied, the four movable plates are in a parallel relative state to the base plate, and the elastic elements and other components cooperate with each other to maintain the stability of this state; once the loading node is impacted by an external force, the stable state of the energy-absorbing unit will be broken, and the elastic element will pull the movable plate to tilt and move toward the base plate, thereby causing the energy-absorbing unit to deform and absorb energy; and since connecting ropes are connected between the loading node and the movable plates of the four energy-absorbing units at this time, the four energy-absorbing units will deform at the same time to absorb energy.

[0016] Obviously, after adopting the above technical solution, when subjected to external force, the elastic element is used to drive the movable plate to move toward the base plate; that is, as long as the loading node is impacted, the device can absorb energy through overall deformation, thereby solving the problem that the existing technology can only absorb energy through local deformation; and this structural deformation can achieve excellent energy absorption effect and can be used repeatedly, which also solves the dilemma that the existing technology cannot take into account both energy absorption effect and reuse. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the implementation. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side structural diagram of

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the state transition structure;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of combined application of multiple energy absorption modules;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the stacking application of energy absorption modules provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention after a load-bearing plate is added.

[0024] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0025] 100. Energy absorption module;

[0026] 10. Substrate;

[0027] 20. Energy absorbing unit; 21. L-shaped arm; 211. Long arm section; 212. Short arm section; 22. Elastic element; 23. Elastic rope; 24. Movable plate;

[0028] 30. Loading node;

[0029] 40. Connecting rope;

[0030] 51. First rigid connecting rod; 52. Second rigid connecting rod;

[0031] 60. Load-bearing plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] The present invention provides a bistable energy absorbing device based on a tensegrity structure, which can be implemented as follows: Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes at least one energy absorbing module 100; the energy absorbing module 100 includes a base plate 10, an energy absorbing unit 20, a loading node 30 and a connecting rope 40, four energy absorbing units 20 are arranged on the base plate 10 in the form of a square matrix, and a connecting rope 40 is connected between the loading node 30 and the movable plates 24 of the four energy absorbing units 20; the energy absorbing unit 20 also includes an L-shaped arm 21, an elastic element 22 and an elastic rope 23; one L-shaped arm 21 is arranged on the movable plate 24, and the other L-shaped arm 21 is arranged on the base plate 10, and the two L-shaped arms 21 are respectively The elastic element 22 is connected to both ends of the elastic element 22 so that when the movable plate 24 is parallel to the base plate 10, the elastic element 22 is placed in the space surrounded by the two L-shaped arms 21; multiple elastic ropes 23 are surrounded by the L-shaped arms 21, and the ends of the multiple elastic ropes 23 are respectively connected to the movable plate 24 and the base plate 10; when the bistable energy absorbing device is not subjected to external force, the elastic element 22 is used to maintain the parallel relationship between the movable plate 24 and the base plate 10; when the bistable energy absorbing device is subjected to external force, the elastic element 22 is used to drive the movable plate 24 to move toward the base plate 10.

[0034] When no external force is applied, the four movable plates 24 are all in a parallel relative state to the base plate 10, and the elastic elements 22 and other components cooperate with each other to maintain the stability of this state; once the loading node 30 is impacted by an external force, the stable state of the energy absorbing unit 20 will be broken, and the elastic element 22 will pull the movable plate 24 to tilt and move toward the base plate 10. In this process, the elastic element 22 is bent and absorbs energy, thereby causing the energy absorbing unit 20 to deform and absorb energy; and because a connecting rope 40 is connected between the loading node 30 and the movable plates 24 of the four energy absorbing units 20 at this time, the four energy absorbing units 20 will be deformed at the same time to absorb energy; among them, by modifying the structural parameters of the bistable energy absorbing device, the stretching amount of the elastic element 22 in the whole process can be changed, thereby changing the total amount of energy absorbed.

[0035] Obviously, after adopting the above technical solution, as long as the loading node 30 is impacted, the device can absorb energy through overall deformation, thereby solving the problem that the existing technology can only absorb energy through local deformation; and this structural deformation can achieve excellent energy absorption effect and can be used repeatedly, which also solves the dilemma that the existing technology cannot take into account both energy absorption effect and reuse.

[0036] It should be noted that the elastic element 22 can be connected to the central hole of the L-shaped arm 21 by various means such as a tether, and the elastic rope can be connected to the peripheral holes of the L-shaped arm 21 by various means such as a tether or a connecting buckle.

[0037] It should be noted that there are many options for setting the L-shape, such as Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides an L-shaped arm 21 including a long arm section 211 and a short arm section 212 that are vertically connected to each other. The long arm section 211 of one L-shaped arm 21 is connected to the movable plate 24, and the long arm section 211 of the other L-shaped arm 21 is connected to the base plate 10. The two short arm sections 212 are respectively extended toward the opposite long arm sections 211, and an elastic element 22 is connected between the two short arm sections 212, thereby realizing relevant structural requirements.

[0038] It should be noted that the connecting rope 40 is used to connect multiple energy absorbing units 20. Each connecting rope 40 can be connected to one energy absorbing unit 20, or one connecting rope 40 can be connected to multiple energy absorbing units 20. Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, each energy absorbing module 100 includes two connecting ropes 40 , and each connecting rope 40 connects two energy absorbing units 20 that are obliquely opposite to each other, thereby realizing mutual connection between the multiple energy absorbing units 20 .

[0039] It should be noted that the above energy absorption modules 100 can be used in multiples at the same time, such as Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, a plurality of energy absorbing modules 100 are arranged in an array in the same plane, and a first rigid connecting rod 51 is connected between adjacent loading nodes 30. Therefore, when one energy absorbing module 100 is deformed, the first rigid connecting rod 51 can be used to generate force transmission, so that the plurality of energy absorbing modules 100 can deform and absorb energy at the same time.

[0040] Of course, in addition to joint use on the plane, such as Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of energy absorbing modules 100 may be arranged in a stacked manner, with first rigid connecting rods 51 connected between adjacent loading nodes 30, or a combination of the two methods may be used to achieve the corresponding effect.

[0041] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown, the bistable energy absorbing device of this embodiment further includes a force-bearing plate 60 , and a second rigid connecting rod 52 is connected between the plurality of loading nodes 30 and the force-bearing plate 60 .

[0042] After adopting this setting method, as long as any part of the force-bearing plate 60 is impacted, the force-bearing plate 60 can transfer the absorption ability to each energy-absorbing module 100, so that each energy-absorbing module 100 will produce deformation and energy absorption. Therefore, the bistable energy-absorbing device will use overall deformation to absorb energy, thereby solving the problem that the existing technology can only be applied to local areas.

[0043] It should also be pointed out that if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment is arranged in the same energy absorbing module 100 , and the paths of the multiple movable plates 24 moving toward the base plate 10 are all realized in a manner of reversing toward the location of the loading node 30 , thereby avoiding interference between adjacent energy absorbing modules 100 .

[0044] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bistable energy absorption device based on a tensegrity structure, characterized in that: including multiple energy absorbing modules; The energy absorption module includes a base plate, an energy absorption unit, a loading node and a connecting rope. The four energy absorption units are arranged on the base plate in the form of a square matrix. The connecting rope is connected between the loading node and the movable plates of the four energy absorption units. The plurality of energy absorbing modules are arranged in an array in the same plane, and first rigid connecting rods are connected between adjacent loading nodes; The energy absorbing unit further includes an L-shaped arm, an elastic element, and an elastic rope; one L-shaped arm is provided on the movable plate, and the other L-shaped arm is provided on the base plate, and the two L-shaped arms are respectively connected to two ends of the elastic element, so that when the movable plate and the base plate are parallel to each other, the elastic element is placed in the space surrounded by the two L-shaped arms; a plurality of elastic ropes are surrounded by the L-shaped arms, and the ends of the plurality of elastic ropes are respectively connected to the movable plate and the base plate; When the bistable energy absorbing device is not subjected to an external force, the elastic element is used to maintain the parallel relationship between the movable plate and the base plate; When the bistable energy absorbing device is acted upon by an external force, the elastic element is used to drive the movable plate to move toward the base plate; The bistable energy absorbing device further includes a force-bearing plate, and a second rigid connecting rod is connected between the plurality of loading nodes and the force-bearing plate.

2. The bistable energy absorbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The L-shaped arm includes a long arm section and a short arm section that are vertically connected to each other. The long arm section of one L-shaped arm is connected to the movable plate, and the long arm section of the other L-shaped arm is connected to the base plate. The two short arm sections extend toward the opposite long arm sections respectively, and the elastic element is connected between the two short arm sections.

3. The bistable energy absorbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the energy absorbing modules includes two connecting ropes, and each of the connecting ropes connects two energy absorbing units that are obliquely opposite to each other.

4. The bistable energy absorbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of energy absorbing modules are arranged in a stacked manner, and a first rigid connecting rod is connected between adjacent loading nodes.

5. The bistable energy absorbing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the same energy absorbing module, the paths for the multiple movable plates to move toward the base plate are all realized in a manner of falling back toward the location of the loading node.

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