Buckled Beam Control Element for Low Force Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control elements in pneumatics and hydraulics require high actuation forces and displacement for switching or valve operation, leading to inefficiencies in speed and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A control element featuring a buckled beam that stores energy through compression, allowing for low actuation force and quick switching between bistable states by utilizing a transverse motion limiting member to separate the beam into sections, enabling efficient energy transfer and reduced actuation requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional control elements are used for valve or switch operation, then reliable switching function is achieved, but high actuation force and displacement are required leading to slow response and high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The beam member is pre-loaded in compression to store elastic energy, preparing it in advance for rapid switching. This preliminary compression allows the beam to quickly transition between bistable states when actuated, achieving high-speed switching without requiring high actuation forces during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam member's mechanical properties are changed by loading it in compression to create a buckled configuration with bistable states. This parameter change in the beam's structural state enables it to switch rapidly between positions with low actuation force, resolving the contradiction between switching speed and actuation force.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional control elements are used, then switching function is achieved, but high energy consumption occurs due to high actuation force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The beam member is pre-loaded in compression to store elastic energy, preparing it in advance for rapid switching. This preliminary compression allows the beam to quickly transition between bistable states when actuated, achieving high-speed switching without requiring high actuation forces during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The buckled beam member utilizes its own stored elastic energy from compression to facilitate switching between states. The beam's inherent mechanical properties and stored energy serve the switching function, reducing the need for external actuation energy and thereby lowering overall energy consumption.
3Power
If the beam member is separated into sections by a motion limiting member, then energy transfer efficiency is improved and actuation force is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam member is divided into a first section and a second section by the motion limiting member, allowing independent actuation of each section. This segmentation enables more efficient energy transfer and reduced actuation forces by allowing localized buckling and energy storage in each section, while the motion limiting member provides a simple mechanical interface between sections.
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
The buckled beam design enables high-speed switching with low actuation force and quick response times, reducing energy consumption and increasing operational efficiency in fluid control and electrical switching applications.
Implementation Method 1
a beam member (21) loaded in compression to cause the beam member to buckle between opposed ends of the beam member
Implementation Method 2
the beam member to buckle between opposed ends of the beam member
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7A~7E
Figure 8A~8D
AI summary
A control element having a beam member divided into an actuation section and a valve section positioned on opposing sides of a pivot member, in which active control of the actuation section causes buckling of the valve section to bring the valve section from a closed state to an open state or causes relaxing of the valve section to bring the valve section from an open state to a closed state.