Two-rod and two-cable tension metamaterial cell element structure capable of automatically loading internal stress

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of tensegrity metamaterials, in particular to an internal stress self-loading two-rod two-cable tensegrity metamaterial cell element structure which comprises a rigid shell component, a T-shaped rod piece, an elastic assembly and a hydrogel driving assembly. The T-shaped rod piece is driven by the hydrogel to slide in the channel direction of the shell component, and finally self-balancing is achieved under the joint constraint of the tension elastic assembly and the tension elastic assembly. The self-stabilization, self-recovery and self-adaption mechanical characteristics of the tensegrity structure are utilized, the overall stability and durability of a traditional structure are improved, and the limitation of local stress concentration and single-point faults is overcome. A method for generating preloading stress according to the swelling characteristic of the hydrogel is provided, the limitation that external loading is needed for the whole conventional tensioning is broken through, and the breakthrough from passive bearing to active response is achieved. The method is suitable for various fields of intelligent materials, flexible sensors, deformable structures, underwater detection equipment and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tensegrity metamaterials, and in particular to a two-rod and two-cable tensegrity metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress. The structure utilizes the volume expansion characteristics of a water-swellable hydrogel in a wet environment to achieve self-loading of internal stress in the tensegrity structure, and is suitable for the fields of smart materials, flexible sensors, deformable structures, biomedical devices, and underwater detection equipment. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, tensegrity structures have attracted extensive attention in the fields of engineering and materials science due to their lightweight, deformable and efficient material utilization. Tensegrity structures achieve internal mechanical balance through the combination of cables and compression rods, so that the compression components are suspended between the tension components. This structural system has high impact resistance, good deformation adaptability and stability, and can achieve negative Poisson's ratio characteristics. It is widely used in aerospace, building structures, bionic robots and smart materials.

[0003] However, in traditional tensegrity structures, the stability of the structure is maintained by internal stress. With the combination of tensegrity and metamaterials, the complexity of the structure increases, and the requirements are also increased. In order to expand the types of cells, meet different functional requirements, and maintain its unique tensegrity characteristics, introducing self-loading internal stress function has become an effective means.

[0004] Therefore, designing a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure with self-loading internal stress characteristics is a technical problem that researchers in this field urgently need to solve. Summary of the invention

[0005] To this end, the purpose of the present invention is to develop a two-rod and two-cable tensile metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress, which breaks through the limitation that conventional tensile structures require external loading and achieves a breakthrough from passive load-bearing to active response.

[0006] The present invention provides a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress, comprising two groups of rigid shell components, two groups of T-shaped rods, two groups of elastic components and a hydrogel driving component; the two groups of T-shaped rods, the two groups of compressive elastic components and the hydrogel driving component are slidably connected through internal channels of the shell components; the two groups of tensile elastic components are connected through grooves of the T-shaped rods.

[0007] The rigid shell and the T-shaped rod are made of polylactic acid material, the elastic component is made of thermoplastic polyurethane material, and the hydrogel driving component is synthesized from 3-sulfopropyl acrylate potassium salt through a chemical cross-linking method.

[0008] The two-rod and two-cable tensile metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress is placed in a water environment, and the two groups of T-shaped rods and the two groups of compressed elastic components are pushed by the hydrogel driving component to slide along the channel direction of the shell component. The two groups of T-shaped rods achieve self-balance under the joint constraint of the two groups of elastic components, and finally complete the self-loading of internal stress. When the two-rod and two-cable tensile metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress is subjected to continuous external load, the compressed elastic component cooperates with the tensile elastic component to balance the external load, distribute the excessive stress, and enhance the stability of the structure; when the external load is removed, the elastic component returns to the equilibrium position, restores the toughness and energy absorption capacity, and improves the service life of the structure; when the two-rod and two-cable tensile metamaterial cellular structure subjected to the self-loaded internal stress is subjected to instantaneous impact load or dynamic load, the structure can self-adjust according to the change of external pressure, overcoming the limitation of poor adaptability of traditional rigid structures.

[0009] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that, compared with the prior art, the present invention discloses a two-rod and two-cable tensegrity metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress. This structure utilizes the mechanical properties of self-stabilization, self-recovery and self-regulation of the tensegrity structure to improve the overall stability and durability of the traditional structure, breaking through the limitations of local stress concentration and single-point failure. A method for generating preload stress by the swelling characteristics of hydrogel is proposed, which overcomes the limitation of conventional tensegrity requiring external loading and achieves a breakthrough from passive load-bearing to active response. It is applicable to a variety of fields such as smart materials, flexible sensors, deformable structures and underwater detection equipment.

[0010] Furthermore, the two groups of shell components are respectively a first shell component and a second shell component. The main bodies of the first shell component and the second shell component are both rectangular structures, with 6 water inlet channels in the middle of the main body, channels in the inner extension direction, limited structures at both ends, and 4 positioning and mounting holes at the 4 corners. Grooves are also provided on both sides of the main structure of the second shell component, so that the first shell component and the second shell component can be assembled in an inlaid manner. Four triangular fixing buckles are provided in the middle of the second shell channel, which are arranged symmetrically. The water inlet channel can maintain the synchronous changes of the internal structure with the external environment, providing a basic guarantee for the response drive inside the structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the two groups of T-shaped rods include an H-shaped frame and a telescopic rod connected as one body, four symmetrically distributed fixing grooves are provided on both sides of the H-shaped frame with the telescopic rod as the center, four axial holes are provided at both ends of the H-shaped frame along its width direction, and a square limit baffle is constructed at the extended end of the telescopic rod along its length direction; the two groups of T-shaped rods are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the long end of the shell component, and the telescopic rod of the T-shaped rod can slide inside the channel formed by the two groups of shell components. The square limit baffle at the end of the telescopic rod effectively prevents excessive sliding, ensures the controllable movement of the component in the channel, and thus improves the adjustment accuracy and overall stability of the structure.

[0012] The elastic components are respectively two groups of compressive elastic components and two groups of tensile elastic components. The two groups of compressive elastic components are in the shape of a hollow four-pointed star, and are connected by sliding inside the channel composed of two groups of shell components. The two groups of compressive elastic components finally reach balance and are fixed in the triangular fixing buckle of the second shell component after the self-driving process; the two groups of tensile elastic components include a serpentine tensile member and two groups of T-shaped fixing members connected as one. The two groups of T-shaped fixing members are respectively connected through the fixing grooves of the H-shaped frame; the hydrogel driving component is located at the center position inside the channel composed of the two groups of shell components, and can expand along the channel direction to push the two groups of compressive elastic components to slide. The compressive elastic component slides to the equilibrium position and is fixed under the drive of hydrogel expansion, providing reliable self-driving and self-balancing capabilities. The combination of the serpentine tensile member and the T-shaped fixing member ensures the stability of the tensile elastic component, and further improves the durability and adaptability of the entire structure.

[0013] The beneficial effect of adopting the above-mentioned technical solution is that the two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure self-loads internal stress under the driving force provided by the hydrogel driving component, thereby improving the light weight and high strength, impact resistance and energy absorption, precise deformation control and adaptive performance of the structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a front view of a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress provided by the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram of a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress provided by the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 A perspective view of an initial state of a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress provided by the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 A perspective view of a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure in a driven state with self-loaded internal stress provided by the present invention.

[0019] Among them, 100-rigid shell component; 110-first shell component; 120-second shell component; 200-T-shaped rod; 300-elastic component; 310-compressive elastic component; 320-tensile elastic component; 400-hydrogel driving component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0021] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0022] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two groups of components or the interaction relationship between two groups of components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0023] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0024] In traditional tensegrity structures, compression and tension components need to rely on external loading sources to apply preload to achieve initial mechanical balance.

[0025] In view of this, the embodiment of the present invention discloses a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cell structure with self-loaded internal stress, as shown in the attached drawings. Figure 1-4 , including: a rigid shell component 100, a T-shaped rod 200, an elastic component 300, and a hydrogel driving component 400. The two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cell structure with self-loaded internal stress is placed in a water environment, and the two groups of T-shaped rods 200 and the two groups of compressed elastic components 310 are pushed by the hydrogel driving component 400 to slide along the channel direction of the shell component 100. The two groups of T-shaped rods 200 achieve self-balance under the common constraints of the two groups of elastic components 300, and finally complete the self-loading of internal stress. When the two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress is subjected to continuous external load, the compressive elastic component 310 cooperates with the tensile elastic component 320 to balance the external load, distribute the excess stress, and enhance the stability of the structure; when the external load is removed, the elastic component 300 returns to the equilibrium position, restores the toughness and energy absorption capacity, and improves the service life of the structure; when the two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cellular structure with self-loaded internal stress is subjected to instantaneous impact load or dynamic load, the structure can self-adjust according to the change of external pressure, overcoming the limitation of poor adaptability of traditional rigid structures.

[0026] See attached Figure 2, the two groups of shell components 100 described in the embodiment of the present invention are respectively a first shell component 110 and a second shell component 120. The main bodies of the first shell component 110 and the second shell component 120 are both rectangular structures, and 6 water inlet channels are opened in the middle of the main body. Channels are opened in the direction of the internal extension, and limiting structures are left at both ends. Four positioning and mounting holes are opened at the positions of the four corners. Grooves are also opened on both sides of the main structure of the second shell component 120, so that the first shell component 110 and the second shell component 120 can be assembled in an inlaid manner. Four triangular fixing buckles are left in the middle of the second shell channel, which are arranged symmetrically. The water inlet channel can maintain the synchronous changes of the internal structure with the external environment, providing a basic guarantee for the response drive inside the structure.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two groups of T-shaped rods 200 include an H-shaped frame and a telescopic rod connected as one body, four symmetrically distributed fixing grooves are provided on both sides of the H-shaped frame with the telescopic rod as the center, four axial holes are provided at both ends of the H-shaped frame along its width direction, and a square limit baffle is constructed at the extended end of the telescopic rod along its length direction; the two groups of T-shaped rods 200 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the long end of the shell component 100, and the telescopic rods of the T-shaped rods 200 can slide inside the channel formed by the two groups of shell components 100. The square limit baffle at the end of the telescopic rod effectively prevents excessive sliding, ensures the controllable movement of the component in the channel, and thus improves the adjustment accuracy and overall stability of the structure.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic components 300 are respectively two groups of compressive elastic components 310 and two groups of tensile elastic components 320. The two groups of compressive elastic components 310 are in the shape of a hollow four-pointed star, and are connected by sliding inside the channel formed by two groups of shell components 100. The two groups of compressive elastic components 310 finally reach balance and are fixed in the triangular fixing buckle of the second shell component 120 after the self-driving process; the two groups of tensile elastic components 320 include a serpentine tensile member connected as one and two groups of T-shaped fixing members. The two groups of T-shaped fixing members are connected through the fixing grooves of the H-shaped frame respectively; the hydrogel driving component 400 is located at the center position inside the channel formed by the two groups of shell components 100, and can expand along the channel direction to push the two groups of compressive elastic components 310 to slide. The compressive elastic component 310 slides to the equilibrium position and is fixed under the drive of hydrogel expansion, providing reliable self-driving and self-balancing capabilities. The combination of the serpentine tension member and the T-shaped fixing member ensures the stability of the tension elastic component 320, and further improves the durability and adaptability of the entire structure.

[0029] The working modes of the embodiments provided by the present invention are mainly: 1. Active environmental response to self-loading internal stress, the hydrogel swells in a wet environment to provide driving force, the common constraints of the two sets of elastic components 300 achieve self-balance, and finally complete the self-loading of internal stress; 2. Absorb and diffuse external energy and load, when the structure is subjected to continuous external load, the compressed elastic component 310 cooperates to disperse stress and enhance the stability of the structure; after the external load is removed, the elastic component 300 returns to the equilibrium position and restores toughness and energy absorption capacity. Under instantaneous or dynamic impact, the structure can self-adjust according to the change of external force, overcoming the problem of insufficient adaptability of traditional rigid structures.

[0030] The invention effectively solves the limitation that traditional tensegrity structures need to rely on external loading sources to apply preload to achieve initial mechanical balance. A two-rod and two-cable tensegrity metamaterial cell structure with self-loaded internal stress is proposed. The structure has the characteristics of self-loading, self-stabilization, self-recovery and self-adaptation, which improves the overall stability and durability of traditional structures, overcomes the limitations of local stress concentration and single-point failure, and achieves a breakthrough from passive load-bearing to active response. It is suitable for a variety of fields such as smart materials, flexible sensors, deformable structures and underwater detection equipment.

[0031] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0032] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and vary the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cell structure with self-loaded internal stress, characterized in that: include: A rigid shell component (100), a T-shaped rod (200), an elastic component (300) and a hydrogel driving component (400); the two groups of shell components (100) are respectively a first shell component (110) and a second shell component (120); the main structures of the first shell component (110) and the second shell component (120) are both rectangular structures, with six water inlet channels provided in the middle of the main bodies, channels provided in the inner extension direction, limiting structures left at both ends, and four positioning and mounting holes provided at the four corners; grooves are also provided on both sides of the main structure of the second shell component (120), so that the first shell component (110) and the second shell component (120) can be assembled in an inlaid manner; four triangular fixing buckles are provided in the middle of the second shell channel, and are symmetrically arranged.

2. According to claim 1, a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cell structure with self-loaded internal stress, characterized in that: The two groups of T-shaped rods (200) comprise an H-shaped frame and a telescopic rod connected as one body; four symmetrically distributed fixing grooves are provided on both sides of the H-shaped frame with the telescopic rod as the center; four axial holes are provided at both ends of the H-shaped frame along its width direction; and a square limit baffle is constructed at the extended end of the telescopic rod along its length direction; the two groups of T-shaped rods (200) are respectively symmetrically distributed on both sides of the long end of the shell component (100); and the telescopic rods of the T-shaped rods (200) can slide inside the channel formed by the two groups of shell components (100).

3. According to claim 1, a two-rod and two-cable tensioned metamaterial cell structure with self-loaded internal stress, characterized in that: The elastic components (300) are respectively two groups of compressive elastic components (310) and two groups of tensile elastic components (320); the two groups of compressive elastic components (310) are in the shape of a hollow four-pointed star and are connected by sliding inside a channel formed by two groups of shell components (100); the two groups of compressive elastic components (310) finally reach equilibrium and are fixed in the triangular fixing buckle of the second shell component (120) after a self-driving process; the two groups of tensile elastic components (320) include a serpentine tensile member and two groups of T-shaped fixing members connected as one; the two groups of T-shaped fixing members are respectively connected through fixing grooves of the H-shaped frame; the hydrogel driving component (400) is located at the center of the channel formed by the two groups of shell components (100), and can expand along the channel direction to push the two groups of compressive elastic components (310) to slide.

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