A metamaterial unit cell structure based on four-bar tensegrity

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of metamaterial cell structures based on four-pole tension integral, belong to mechanical metamaterial field.The structure includes X-shaped main support frame, folding assembly and elastic component.X-shaped main support frame includes two rigid main support rod members arranged in cross, folding assembly is connected to X-shaped main support frame upper side and lower side, and elastic component is arranged on the left and right sides of X-shaped main support frame.Under the action of external force, two rigid main support rod members can rotate relatively, upper folding assembly and lower folding assembly are folded or unfolded in sequence, elastic component occurs expansion and contraction deformation and applies tension restoring force, so that the structure realizes cooperative deformation and recoverable motion.The application combines tension integral structure with mechanical metamaterial cell design, and can be used for recoverable deformation structure, buffer energy-absorbing structure and tension integral metamaterial cell structure design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mechanical metamaterials, and more particularly to a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned integral structure, which can be used in self-restoring deformation structures, flexible support structures, buffer energy absorption structures, and adjustable stiffness mechanical metamaterial cell structures. Background Technology

[0002] Tensioned monolithic structures are spatially stable structures composed of compression members and tension cables. They achieve overall stability through discontinuous contact between members and pretensioning of cables. They are characterized by light weight, good deployability, strong buffering and energy absorption capacity, and recoverable deformation. Therefore, they have broad application prospects in fields such as mechanical metamaterials, flexible robots, deployable structures, and smart structures.

[0003] However, most existing tensile monolithic structures have complex compositions, making them difficult to manufacture and assemble. Furthermore, traditional tensile monolithic cell structures typically rely on static stability supports, and research on structural motion coupling, controllable deformation, and dynamic response performance remains insufficient. Under external loads, existing structures are prone to problems such as localized deformation inconsistencies, limited overall motion degrees of freedom, and insufficient recovery performance, thus restricting their application in flexible metamaterials and recoverable mechanical structures.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned whole that is simple in structure and can achieve coordinated rotation and elastic recovery, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolithic structure to solve the problems of structural complexity, insufficient motion coordination, and limited elastic recovery capability of existing tensioned monolithic cell structures, and to achieve coordinated rotation and self-recovering deformation of the structure under external load.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a metamaterial cellular structure based on a four-bar tensioned system, comprising an X-shaped main support frame, folding components, and elastic components. This invention employs a structure combining hinged rotation with tensioned elastic constraints. The interconnected components form a complete four-bar tensioned system, achieving controllable deformation through mechanical linkage and restoring deformation using elastic components. The overall structure is simple, and the mechanical transmission logic is clear.

[0007] It should be noted that the rigid main support rod is a one-piece molded elongated rod with a circular boss in the middle and a through-hole in the central shaft on the boss. Two rigid main support rods are connected by a pin through the central shaft hole, allowing them to rotate relative to each other. Both ends of the rigid main support rod have end shaft holes and U-shaped keys for connecting the elastic components. Each rod is divided into two main support sections by the central shaft hole, and the two rods are hinged together to form four main support sections, constituting the core load-bearing structure of the cell.

[0008] It should be noted that the folding assembly includes an upper folding assembly and a lower folding assembly, both of which contain two sets of arc-shaped rods. Each set of arc-shaped rods has auxiliary shaft holes at both ends. The two arc-shaped rods in the same set are hinged together by pins passing through the auxiliary shaft holes. Each set of arc-shaped rods is then hinged to the end shaft holes of the rigid main support rods through the auxiliary shaft holes. The upper and lower folding assemblies can move synchronously with the rigid main support rods to complete the folding and unfolding of the overall structure, ensuring the synchronicity of the movement of each component.

[0009] It should be noted that the elastic component includes two sets of annular elastic elements, which are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the X-shaped main support frame; each set of annular elastic elements is engaged and limited by two U-shaped keys on the corresponding side to prevent the elastic elements from slipping or falling off. The elastic component undergoes expansion and contraction deformation as the position of the rod changes, and continuously provides tensile restoring force.

[0010] It should be noted that the upper folding component and the lower folding component are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the X-shaped main support frame, and the elastic component and the upper and lower folding components are staggered to form a symmetrical tension constraint structure.

[0011] Beneficial effects: This invention constructs an X-shaped main support frame using two rigid, cross-hinged main support rods. It utilizes upper and lower folding components to form a follow-up folding structure, and relies on elastic components on both sides to provide tension constraints and restoring forces. The overall connection of this invention is simple, and the mechanical force transmission path is clear, effectively improving the deformation coordination and recovery stability of the cell under load. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a front view of a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith provided by the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 An isometric side view of a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned integral structure provided by the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a local explosion of a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned integral structure, which is provided for the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a front view of a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith under load, provided by the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 The image shows an isometric side view of a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith under load, as provided by the present invention.

[0018] Labeling Explanation: 100, X-shaped main support frame; 110, rigid main support rod; 111, circular boss; 112, central shaft hole; 113, end shaft hole; 114, U-shaped key; 200, folding assembly; 210, upper folding assembly; 220, lower folding assembly; 230, arc-shaped rod; 231, auxiliary shaft hole; 300, elastic assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0019] 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 represent the same or similar, or functionally identical, components. The embodiments described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "middle", "both ends", "inner side", "outer side", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of description. They are not intended to limit the corresponding structures or components to have a specific orientation, or to be constructed or used in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0021] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "hinged," "through-hole," "limited connection," "folding," and "unfolding" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through a connector; "hinged" means that two connected parts can rotate relative to each other; "limited connection" means that the connecting parts are constrained in a preset position and are not easily detached, while being able to adapt to structural deformation and produce elastic deformation.

[0022] Existing tensioned monolithic cell structures are generally complex in composition, difficult to manufacture and assemble, and exhibit poor component motion coordination and post-deformation recovery stability under external loads. Therefore, this embodiment provides a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith, which achieves coordinated cell deformation and self-recovery motion through the cooperation of a cross-arranged main support frame, upper and lower folding components, and left and right elastic components.

[0023] See Figures 1 to 5 This embodiment provides a metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned whole, including an X-shaped main support frame 100, a folding assembly 200, and an elastic assembly 300. The X-shaped main support frame 100 is composed of two intersecting rigid main support rods 110; the folding assembly 200 includes an upper folding assembly 210 and a lower folding assembly 220, which are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the X-shaped main support frame 100 and hinged to the rigid main support rods 110; the elastic assembly 300 is arranged on the left and right sides of the X-shaped main support frame 100 and is staggered with the upper and lower folding assemblies, forming a symmetrical tension constraint structure. The elastic assembly 300 cooperates with the rigid main support rods 110 through a limiting method to apply elastic tension constraint to the X-shaped main support frame 100.

[0024] See Figures 1 to 3 The two rigid main support rods 110 are integrally formed elongated rods, each with a circular boss 111 in its middle. A through-hole 112 is formed on the circular boss 111. The two rigid main support rods 110 are arranged crosswise in the middle and connected by a pin through the central shaft hole 112, forming a hinged connection that allows relative rotation, together constituting an X-shaped main support frame 100. Both ends of the rigid main support rods 110 are provided with end shaft holes 113 and U-shaped keys 114. The end shaft holes 113 are used for hinged connection with the arc-shaped rods of the folding assembly, and the U-shaped keys 114 are used for limiting the connection of the corresponding elastic assembly 300.

[0025] The single rigid main support member 110 is divided into two main support sections by the central shaft hole 112. The two members form a total of four main support sections, which constitute the main load-bearing part of the four-bar tensioned integral cell.

[0026] See Figures 1 to 3The folding assembly 200 comprises four sets of arc-shaped rods 230. Two sets of arc-shaped rods 230 are arranged on the upper side of the X-shaped main support frame 100, forming the upper folding assembly 210; the other two sets are arranged on the lower side, forming the lower folding assembly 220. Each set of arc-shaped rods 230 has auxiliary shaft holes 231 at both ends. The two arc-shaped rods 230 in the same set are hinged to each other by a pin passing through the auxiliary shaft hole 231. Each set of arc-shaped rods 230 is then hinged to the end shaft hole 113 of the rigid main support rod 110 through the auxiliary shaft hole 231, so that it can complete the folding and unfolding actions synchronously with the main rod.

[0027] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The elastic component 300 includes two sets of annular elastic elements, respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the X-shaped main support frame 100. The upper and lower parts of each set of annular elastic elements are respectively engaged with two U-shaped keys 114 on the corresponding sides. The U-shaped keys 114 can limit and constrain the annular elastic elements to prevent them from slipping or falling off. When the structure is loaded, the annular elastic elements undergo expansion and contraction deformation with the change of the position of the rods, and apply tensile restoring force to the rigid main support rods 110 to ensure the stability of the overall cell structure.

[0028] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 When the structure is subjected to external loads, the two rigid main support rods 110 rotate relative to each other around the central shaft hole 112, and the upper folding assembly 210 and the lower folding assembly 220 fold or unfold synchronously; the elastic assembly 300 expands and contracts with the change in the distance between the ends of the rigid main support rods 110, and continuously outputs tensile restoring force, enabling the cells to achieve coordinated deformation and self-restoring motion. After the external force is removed, the elastic assembly 300 drives the structure to return to its initial configuration.

[0029] See Figures 1 to 5 The four-bar tension integral cell structure provided in this embodiment of the invention relies on the cooperation of the rigid main support rods 110 with cross-hinged joints, the upper and lower side folding components 200 and the left and right side elastic components 300. It has the characteristics of having a small number of components, clear connection relationship, good motion coordination and self-recovery. It can be applied to the design fields of mechanical metamaterials, self-recovering deformation structures, buffer energy absorption structures and other fields.

[0030] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. The illustrative expressions of the above terms in this specification do not necessarily correspond to the same embodiment; the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be used in any reasonable combination of one or more embodiments or examples.

[0031] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make modifications, adjustments or variations to the above embodiments without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and such modifications, adjustments and variations all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith, characterized in that, The system includes an X-shaped main support frame (100), a folding assembly (200), and an elastic assembly (300). The X-shaped main support frame (100) includes two intersecting rigid main support rods (110), which are hinged at the intersection and can rotate relative to each other around the intersection. Each rigid main support rod (110) forms two main support segments with the intersection hinged position as the boundary. The folding assembly (200) includes an upper folding assembly (210) and a lower folding assembly (220), which are respectively connected to the upper and lower sides of the X-shaped main support frame (100) and are hinged to the rigid main support rods (110). The elastic assembly (300) is arranged on the left and right sides of the X-shaped main support frame (100) and connected to the rigid main support rods (110), and is used to apply elastic tension constraints to the X-shaped main support frame (100).

2. The metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid main support rod (110) is an integrally formed long strip rod with a circular boss (111) in the middle. The circular boss (111) has a through central shaft hole (112). The two rigid main support rods (110) are connected relative to each other by a pin passing through the central shaft hole (112). Both ends of the rigid main support rod (110) are provided with end shaft holes (113) and U-shaped keys (114) for connecting the elastic component (300).

3. The metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Both the upper folding assembly (210) and the lower folding assembly (220) include two sets of arc-shaped rods (230), and each set of arc-shaped rods (230) has auxiliary shaft holes (231) at both ends. The two arc-shaped rods (230) in the same set are hinged by a pin passing through the auxiliary shaft hole (231). Each set of arc-shaped rods (230) is then hinged to the end shaft hole (113) of the rigid main support rod (110) through the auxiliary shaft hole (231).

4. The metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic component (300) includes two sets of annular elastic elements, which are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the X-shaped main support frame (100); each set of annular elastic elements is snapped and limited on two U-shaped keys (114) on the corresponding side to prevent the elastic elements from slipping or falling off.

5. The metamaterial cell structure based on a four-bar tensioned monolith as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper folding component (210) and the lower folding component (220) are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the X-shaped main support frame (100); the elastic component (300) is staggered with the upper and lower folding components to form a symmetrical tension constraint structure.

Images