Adaptive Tension-Compression Base for Uneven Surface Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tensegrity structures are rigid and poorly adapted for use on irregular surfaces, making them unsuitable for outdoor or uneven terrain, as they lack the flexibility to maintain stability and balance.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive tension-compression structure with slidably adjustable tension elements, allowing for compliance in the circumferential direction while maintaining basic geometry, enabling stability on variable surfaces and facilitating collapsibility for storage or transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional tensegrity structures are used, then structural integrity and stability are achieved, but adaptability to irregular surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tension elements slidable within the compression elements, transforming the rigid static tensegrity structure into a dynamic adaptive system. The tension elements can move along the compression elements to adjust the base structure's orientation and contact points, enabling adaptation to irregular surfaces while maintaining structural integrity through the persistent tension-compression balance.
2Strength
If tension elements are made fixed to maintain geometric stability, then structural rigidity is improved, but compliance with irregular surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tension elements are designed to slide within the compression elements rather than being fixed, creating a dynamic system that maintains rigidity when needed while complying with irregular surfaces through controlled movement. This sliding mechanism allows the structure to adapt its geometry to match uneven terrain while preserving the overall structural strength.
3Reliability
If the base structure is made rigid for stability, then resistance to external forces is improved, but adaptability to inclined surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure achieves reliability through its dynamic adaptive capability. The slidable tension elements allow the structure to continuously adjust its configuration in response to external forces and surface variations, maintaining stability on inclined and irregular surfaces rather than relying on rigid fixed geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A tension-compression base structure including tension elements (such as flexible cables or ropes) and compression elements (such as rigid legs) is provided with a slidably adjustable path for the tension elements around or within the compression elements, thereby enabling a degree of adaptability to support surfaces that may not be ideally flat, such as on outdoor terrain. Such a tension-compression base may be used to support a platform, a stool, or an item of equipment that may be desirably held in a preferred orientation irrespective of terrain irregularities, and as furniture may be configured to rock with a user's body as a form of active seating.