A deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of deformable structures and discloses a deformable sea surface buoy based on an origami structure. The origami structure comprises a deformable origami structure, wherein the origami structure includes a positive rigid plate, a secondary rigid plate, and a flexible shell. The positive rigid plate and the secondary rigid plate are two obtuse triangles with their long sides facing each other, forming a complementary shape. The positive rigid plate and the secondary rigid plate form an inclined angle when combined. Multiple groups of positive rigid plates and secondary rigid plates are inclined in the same direction. Multiple positive rigid plates and an equal number of secondary rigid plates are arranged flat on the flexible shell according to the above-mentioned planar position. The flexible shell is cut into multiple pieces according to the shape of the positive rigid plates and the secondary rigid plates. Each flexible shell is bonded with an adhesive and bent once to form a ring structure. The buoy of the present invention can be autonomously unfolded and folded as a whole. When unfolded, it can perform normal operations. When folded, it can effectively protect the structure from the impact of high-energy waves and currents, while also having better hydrodynamic characteristics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of deformable structures, and in particular relates to a deformable sea surface buoy based on an origami structure. Background Art

[0002] With current technology, surface buoys play a vital role in marine meteorological observation, hydrological observation, wave monitoring, and maritime navigation assistance. The proper functioning of these unmanned marine systems requires that their components be highly reliable, a prerequisite for their overall structure. This challenge conflicts with the widespread threats of high-energy waves and currents at sea. Therefore, addressing these equipment reliability threats at sea is a pressing issue for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a deformable sea surface buoy based on an origami structure to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the specific technical solution of the present invention is a deformable sea surface buoy based on an origami structure as follows:

[0005] A deformable sea surface buoy based on an origami structure includes a deformable origami structure, wherein the origami structure includes a positive rigid plate, a secondary rigid plate and a flexible shell. The positive rigid plate and the secondary rigid plate are two obtuse triangles with their long sides facing each other to form a complementary shape. The positive rigid plate and the secondary rigid plate form an inclined angle when combined. Multiple groups of positive rigid plates and secondary rigid plates are inclined in the same direction. Multiple positive rigid plates and an equal number of secondary rigid plates are laid flat and arranged on the flexible shell according to the above-mentioned plane position. The flexible shell is cut into multiple pieces according to the shape of the positive rigid plate and the secondary rigid plate. Each flexible shell is bonded together with an adhesive and bent in a circle to form a ring structure.

[0006] Furthermore, the number of positive rigid plates and auxiliary rigid plates is 8 to 16 respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, the obtuse angle of the positive rigid plate is 100-105°, and the obtuse angle of the secondary rigid plate is 110-120°.

[0008] Furthermore, a gap is left between the positive rigid plate and the secondary rigid plate, and a gap is also left between each group of positive rigid plates and the secondary rigid plates.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a bottom cover and a top cover, the top cover is fixedly connected to the small-diameter side of the origami structure by an adhesive, and there is a gap between the secondary rigid plate and the top cover; the bottom cover is fixedly connected to the large-diameter side of the origami structure by an adhesive, and there is a gap between the positive rigid plate and the bottom cover.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a base, a top fixing ring and a bottom fixing ring. The top fixing ring hoop is installed at the overlapping part of the flexible shell and the top cover, and screws are used to pass through the threaded holes of the top fixing ring, the flexible shell and the top cover in sequence for fastening; the bottom fixing ring hoop is installed at the overlapping part of the flexible shell and the bottom cover, and screws are used to pass through the bottom fixing ring, the flexible shell, the bottom cover and the inner nut in sequence for fastening; finally, a sealing ring is provided in the sealing ring groove of the base, and the base and the bottom cover are fastened with screws.

[0011] Furthermore, the top fixing ring and the bottom fixing ring are broken ring structures, which are connected into a ring shape using a screw and nut pair.

[0012] Furthermore, there are 4 groups of through holes on the upper side of the top cover, 4 of which are used to assemble watertight connector joints, and 4 are used to assemble sealing flanges to connect the pneumatic circuit.

[0013] Furthermore, a plurality of connection holes and connection edges are designed on the upper side of the interior of the top cover for connecting the required components inside the buoy.

[0014] Furthermore, the base and the bottom cover are fastened via a flange.

[0015] The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure of the present invention has the following advantages: the present invention provides a deformable structure based on the origami principle, and the buoy as a whole can be autonomously unfolded and folded. When unfolded, it can perform normal work, and when folded, it can effectively protect the structure from the impact of high-energy waves and currents. At the same time, it has better hydrodynamic characteristics and is convenient for movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a planar structure of a secondary rigid plate and a positive rigid plate according to one size of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a front view structural diagram of the buoy of the present invention in an expanded state;

[0020] Figure 5 It is a schematic side cross-sectional structural diagram of the buoy of the present invention in the deployed state;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a front view structural diagram of the buoy of the present invention in a folded state;

[0022] Figure 7 It is a schematic side view of the cross-sectional structure of the buoy of the present invention in a folded state.

[0023] The figures are marked as follows: 1. base; 2. bottom cover; 3. bottom fixing ring; 4. positive rigid plate; 5. secondary rigid plate; 6. flexible shell; 7. top fixing ring; 8. top cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to better understand the purpose, structure and function of the present invention, the following is a further detailed description of a deformable sea surface buoy based on an origami structure of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figure 1-Figure 7 As shown, a deformable sea surface buoy based on an origami structure of the present invention comprises a base 1, a bottom cover 2, a bottom fixing ring 3, a plurality of positive rigid plates 4 and an equal number of secondary rigid plates 5, a flexible shell 6, a top fixing ring 7, and a top cover 8. In this embodiment, there are twelve positive rigid plates 4 and twelve secondary rigid plates 5. The number of positive rigid plates 4 and twelve secondary rigid plates 5 can vary in different embodiments, with a recommended number of 8 to 16 based on numerical simulations. Their dimensions are variable, but they must satisfy certain relationships to theoretically ensure the origami-based deformable sea surface buoy is foldable. Furthermore, their dimensions must satisfy certain relationships to ensure the origami-based deformable sea surface buoy is foldable under given conditions of a permissible deformation of the flexible shell 6 and a given permissible compressive force.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the deformable sea surface buoy of the present invention has the following specific origami structure: the positive rigid plate 4 and the secondary rigid plate 5 are two obtuse triangles with long sides facing each other, forming a complementary shape. The obtuse angle of the positive rigid plate 4 is 100-105 degrees, preferably 102.3 degrees, and the obtuse angle side lengths are 112 and 355 respectively. The obtuse angle of the secondary rigid plate 5 is 110-120 degrees, preferably 115.5 degrees, and the obtuse angle side lengths are 73 and 317 respectively. A gap is left between the positive rigid plate 4 and the secondary rigid plate 5, and each set of positive rigid plates 4 and secondary rigid plates 5 also has a gap to allow deformation. The positive rigid plates 4 and secondary rigid plates 5 form an inclined angle when combined, and multiple sets of positive rigid plates 4 and secondary rigid plates 5 are inclined in the same direction.

[0027] Several positive rigid plates 4 and an equal number of secondary rigid plates 5 are laid out and arranged on the flexible shell 6 according to the above-mentioned plane position, and are firmly bonded to the flexible shell 6 by an adhesive. The adhesive is designed to optimize the bonding force between the material of the flexible shell 6 and the rigid plate to ensure long-term stability and mechanical strength, such as ethyl cyanoacrylate; the flexible shell 6 firmly connected with several positive rigid plates 4 and an equal number of secondary rigid plates 5 is then cut into multiple pieces according to the shapes of the positive rigid plates 4 and the secondary rigid plates 5; finally, it is surrounded and bonded with the above-mentioned adhesive, bent in a circle to form a specific ring structure. At this point, the origami structure is completed.

[0028] Afterwards, final assembly of the origami-based deformable sea surface buoy can proceed. First, adhesive is used to securely attach the top cover 8 to the small-diameter side of the origami structure. To further enhance long-term stability and mechanical strength, the top retaining ring 7 is clamped onto the overlap between the flexible housing 6 and the top cover 8. Screws are inserted sequentially through the threaded holes of the top retaining ring 7, the flexible housing 6, and the top cover 8 to secure the structure. A gap is left between the secondary rigid plate 5 and the top cover 8. Next, adhesive is used to securely attach the bottom cover 2 to the large-diameter side of the origami structure. A gap is left between the positive rigid plate 4 and the bottom cover 2. Similarly, to further enhance long-term stability and mechanical strength, the bottom retaining ring 3 is clamped onto the overlap between the flexible housing 6 and the bottom cover 2. Screws are inserted sequentially through the bottom retaining ring 3, the flexible housing 6, the bottom cover 2, and the inner nut to secure the structure. Finally, the sealing ring is placed into the sealing ring groove of the base 1, and the base 1 and the bottom cover 2 are secured with screws.

[0029] One of the design features worth noting is that, for ease of assembly, the top fixing ring 7 and the bottom fixing ring 3 can be broken ring structures, and can be fastened using a screw-nut pair.

[0030] The second design feature worth noting is that Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, four groups of through holes are opened on the upper side of the top cover 8, two groups of through holes can be equipped with watertight connectors, and two groups of through holes can be equipped with sealing flanges for connecting to the pneumatic circuit.

[0031] The third design feature worth noting is that Figure 5 、 Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, a plurality of connection holes and connection edges are designed on the upper inner side of the top cover 8, on which the required components inside the buoy, such as wave vibration energy collectors, circuit boards, sensors and other devices, can be connected.

[0032] The fourth design feature worth noting is that, in order to allow maintenance of internal components, the bottom of this set of deformable sea surface buoys based on origami structure is divided into two parts that can be flange-fastened: a base 1 and a bottom cover 2.

[0033] Working principle:

[0034] This set of deformable sea surface buoys based on origami structures can be folded or unfolded under external loads.

[0035] Because the origami structure is composed of a flexible shell 6 and several rigid plates, with the flexible shell 6 being easily deformable while the rigid plates are difficult to deform, external loads applied to this origami-based deformable sea surface buoy can cause a portion of the flexible shell 6 to deform. Specifically, the deformed portions are the gaps between the circumferentially staggered positive rigid plates 4 and secondary rigid plates 5, the gaps between the positive rigid plates 4 and the bottom cover 2, and the gaps between the secondary rigid plates 5 and the top cover 8. Based on the above basic principles:

[0036] The specific principle of the folding process is as follows: Because the rigid plates and the flexible shell 6 physically implement a Kresling origami configuration, the folding process is similar to that of a Kresling origami configuration: during the folding process, the gap between the circumferentially staggered positive rigid plates 4 and secondary rigid plates 5 initially stretches slightly in height while bending inward, then recovers slightly after reaching a critical position. Based on this principle, the potential energy of this origami-based deformable sea surface buoy during the folding process can be approximated as the sum of two components: bending potential energy, which continuously increases; and expansion potential energy, which initially increases and then decreases. Since the folding process of this origami-based deformable sea surface buoy essentially involves the exchange of mechanical energy with the external environment, and mechanical energy consists of potential energy and kinetic energy, which is negligible during low-speed folding, the required external load initially increases during the folding process and then decreases after the system reaches a critical position. Under certain dimensional designs, including those of this embodiment, the system can automatically continue folding after reaching the critical position. The external load may be a pressure directly acting on the top cover 8 and the base 1 , or a negative pressure generated internally by an external air pump through a pneumatic pipe connected to the top cover 8 .

[0037] The specific principle of the deployment process is as follows: Because the rigid plates and flexible shell 6 physically implement a Kresling origami configuration, the deployment process is similar to that of a Kresling origami configuration: during deployment, the gap between the circumferentially staggered positive rigid plates 4 and secondary rigid plates 5 initially elongates slightly in height while bending outward, then recovers slightly after reaching a critical position. Based on this principle, the potential energy of this origami-based deformable sea surface buoy during deployment can be approximated as the sum of two components: bending potential energy, which continuously decreases; and expansion potential energy, which initially increases and then decreases. Since the deployment process of this origami-based deformable sea surface buoy essentially involves the exchange of mechanical energy between the system and the external environment, and mechanical energy consists of potential energy and kinetic energy, which is negligible during low-speed deployment, the required external load initially increases during deployment and then decreases after the system reaches a critical position. Under certain dimensional designs, including those of this embodiment, the system can automatically continue to deploy after reaching the critical position. The external load may be a pulling force directly acting on the top cover 8 and the base 1 , or may be a positive pressure generated internally by an external air pump through a pneumatic pipe connected to the top cover 8 .

[0038] It will be understood that the present invention is described by way of some embodiments, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or equivalent substitutions may be made to these features and embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, under the teachings of the present invention, these features and embodiments may be modified to adapt to specific circumstances and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are intended to be protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. A deformable sea surface buoy based on an origami structure, characterized in that: The invention comprises a deformable origami structure, wherein the origami structure comprises a positive rigid plate (4), a secondary rigid plate (5) and a flexible shell (6), wherein the positive rigid plate (4) and the secondary rigid plate (5) are two obtuse triangles, with their long sides facing each other to form a complementary shape, wherein the positive rigid plate (4) and the secondary rigid plate (5) are combined to form an inclined angle, wherein multiple groups of positive rigid plates (4) and secondary rigid plates (5) are inclined in the same direction, and multiple positive rigid plates (4) and an equal number of secondary rigid plates (5) are arranged flat on the flexible shell (6) according to the above-mentioned plane position, and the flexible shell (6) is cut into multiple pieces according to the shape of the positive rigid plate (4) and the secondary rigid plate (5); and each piece of the flexible shell (6) is bonded around with an adhesive and bent in a circle to form a ring structure.

2. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are 8 to 16 positive rigid plates (4) and auxiliary rigid plates (5) respectively.

3. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The obtuse angle of the positive rigid plate (4) is 100-105°, and the obtuse angle of the secondary rigid plate (5) is 110-120°.

4. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gap is left between the positive rigid plate (4) and the secondary rigid plate (5), and a gap is also left between each group of positive rigid plates (4) and the secondary rigid plates (5).

5. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention also includes a bottom cover (2) and a top cover (8), wherein the top cover (8) is fixedly connected to the small-diameter side of the origami structure by an adhesive, and a gap is provided between the secondary rigid plate (5) and the top cover (8); and the bottom cover (2) is fixedly connected to the large-diameter side of the origami structure by an adhesive, and a gap is provided between the positive rigid plate (4) and the bottom cover (2).

6. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The invention also includes a base (1), a top fixing ring (7) and a bottom fixing ring (3), wherein the top fixing ring (7) is mounted on the overlapping portion of the flexible shell (6) and the top cover (8), and screws are sequentially passed through the threaded holes of the top fixing ring (7), the flexible shell (6) and the top cover (8) for fastening; the bottom fixing ring (3) is mounted on the overlapping portion of the flexible shell (6) and the bottom cover (2), and screws are sequentially passed through the bottom fixing ring (3), the flexible shell (6), the bottom cover (2) and the inner nut for fastening; finally, a sealing ring is provided in the sealing ring groove of the base (1), and the base (1) and the bottom cover (2) are fastened using screws.

7. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top fixing ring (7) and the bottom fixing ring (3) are broken ring structures and are connected into a ring shape using a screw and nut pair.

8. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are 4 groups of through holes on the upper side of the top cover (8), 4 groups of through holes are used to assemble watertight connector joints, and 4 groups of through holes are used to assemble sealing flanges for connecting pneumatic circuits.

9. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The top cover (8) is designed with a plurality of connection holes and connection edges on its inner upper side for connecting the components required inside the buoy.

10. The deformable sea surface buoy based on origami structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The base (1) and the bottom cover (2) are fastened via a flange.

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