Aperiodic Shape-Morphing Lattices With Damage-Tolerant Revolute Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shape morphing structures lack efficient mechanisms for non-periodic tiling and fail to maintain structural integrity under stress or damage, particularly in applications requiring flexible and adaptive shapes.
Innovation Solution
The development of a structure comprising aperiodic tessellated mechanisms derived from Penrose tilings, utilizing revolute joints positioned at specific normalized vectors relative to vertices, allowing for self-similar expansion and contraction without distortion, and incorporating redundant parallel linkages for damage tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If regular periodic tilings are used for shape morphing structures, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but the structures lack adaptability for non-periodic shape transformations and cannot achieve self-similar expansion without distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into discrete members corresponding to vertices of an aperiodic tiled lattice, with revolute joints at edges connecting first type and second type members. This segmentation enables non-periodic shape transformations while maintaining manufacturability through standardized joint design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an aperiodic tiled lattice with two distinct types of vertices (first type and second type) and two types of members, creating an asymmetric, non-repeating pattern that enables versatile shape morphing capabilities beyond what regular periodic tilings can achieve.
2Adaptability or versatility
If revolute joints are positioned at arbitrary locations on members, then shape flexibility is increased, but structural integrity under stress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Revolute joints are positioned at specific normalized vectors relative to vertex locations, creating consistent local connection qualities throughout the structure. This standardized joint positioning maintains structural integrity while enabling shape flexibility through the aperiodic lattice geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure enables dynamic shape changes through coordinated rotation of members at revolute joints, allowing the morphology to adapt while maintaining structural integrity through the kinematic constraints of the joint positions.
3Reliability
If redundant parallel linkages are added for damage tolerance, then reliability under damage improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aperiodic tiled lattice structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the primary load-bearing framework, enables shape morphing capabilities, and inherently offers damage tolerance through its non-periodic geometry that distributes stresses uniquely across all members.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant parallel linkages are built into the structure beforehand, providing damage tolerance before any failure occurs. The non-periodic lattice geometry ensures that if one member fails, alternative load paths exist through the unique arrangement of connected members.
4Adaptability or versatility
If self-similar expansion and contraction is achieved without distortion, then shape adaptability improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The structure achieves self-similar expansion and contraction by copying the geometric relationships of the aperiodic lattice at different scales. Members are positioned according to normalized vectors that maintain consistent angular and proportional relationships, enabling distortion-free morphing.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure enables self-similar transformation by changing the scale parameter while maintaining the geometric parameters of the aperiodic lattice. The normalized vector positions of joints ensure that parameter changes result in uniform scaling without distortion.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure, devices comprising such structures, methods and systems for designing structures is provided. As an example, a structure may include a plurality of first type members, each first type member corresponding to a respective first type vertex of an underlying aperiodic tiled lattice; a plurality of second type members, each second type member corresponding to a respective second type vertex of the underlying aperiodic tiled lattice; and a plurality of revolute joints corresponding to respective edges of the underlying aperiodic tiled lattice and connecting respective joint parts of pairs of members, each pair comprising a first type member and a second type member; wherein: each respective revolute joint is located, with respect to a local position of the respective edge, at a first common normalized vector with respect to a local position of the respective first type vertex and at a second common normalized vector with respect to a local position of the respective second type vertex.