Anisotropic Toy Building Block for Bionic Gripper Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a simple and effective way to construct and study bionic principles, particularly in toy building blocks that can mimic the Fin Ray Principle, which combines flexible and rigid elements to transfer movements and counteract shear forces.
Innovation Solution
A toy building block with a chain-like structure that has a lower restoring force in relation to shearing or bending stress than to tensile stress, featuring anisotropic material properties and varying elasticities in different spatial directions, allowing for the creation of bionic grippers and lever mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the toy building block has high structural stability, then it can maintain its shape and provide inherent stability, but it becomes difficult to deform elastically for bionic movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different elastic properties in different spatial directions. The chain-like structure has high stability along the chain axis (collinear direction) while allowing elastic deformation in perpendicular directions. This is achieved through the specific geometry of individual links and connections, where the link shape and connection geometry create anisotropic elastic behavior, enabling the structure to be stable in one direction while deformable in others.
2Ease of manufacture
If the toy building block has uniform elastic properties in all directions, then it is simple to manufacture and use, but it cannot effectively transmit torque or mimic bionic structures that require directional elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing the chain-like structure with anisotropic elastic properties. The individual links and connections are geometrically asymmetric, creating different restoring forces in different directions. Specifically, the structure has lower restoring force for shearing/bending stress compared to tensile stress, and different elasticities in the two directions perpendicular to the chain line. This asymmetric design enables effective torque transmission and bionic structure mimicry while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through geometric design rather than complex material processing.
3Strength
If the restoring force for shearing stress is high, then the structure is strong and stable, but it cannot effectively absorb forces or transmit torque for bionic movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifically controlling the restoring force parameters in different stress directions. The design targets a lower restoring force for shearing/bending stress compared to tensile stress. This is achieved through the geometric parameters of the individual links and connections, where the link dimensions, connection geometry, and material distribution are optimized to create the desired elastic response characteristics. The structure maintains sufficient strength while enabling effective force absorption and torque transmission through controlled parameter relationships.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the construction of bionic structures that can transmit torque and absorb forces effectively, providing a versatile tool for building elastic joints and grippers, suitable for use with commercially available toys and capable of withstanding typical construction forces.
Implementation Method 1
a bending elasticity (with direction in relation to the shear modulus) than the restoring force in relation to a tensile elasticity
Implementation Method 2
the toy building block has anisotropic material properties with regard to elasticity
Implementation Method 3
a lower restoring force in relation to shearing or bending stress than in relation to tensile stress
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a toy component (1) for producing an elastic structure (2), comprising a plurality of at least three successive chain-shaped individual elements (4). According to the invention, the connection (5) between the individual elements (4) has a lower restoring force with respect to a bending elasticity (push module G) than the restoring force with respect to the traction elasticity (elasticity module E). The claimed toy component enables a gripper, a fin or an ankle joint which work according to the bionic principle, to be produced.