Circularly Packed Structural Network for Multi-Shape 3D Morphing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deployable structures can only form a single target 3D structure, limiting their adaptability to different geometric forms required by various applications, such as varying building profiles or robotic manipulation needs.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a circularly-packed network of structural elements with adjustable diameters and joints that can morph into multiple 3D shapes by altering the diameters of rings or swapping disks, allowing a single network to form differently-shaped structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deployable structure is designed to form a single target 3D structure, then the structure achieves geometric stability and structural integrity, but the adaptability to different geometric forms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The structural elements are designed with adjustable diameters that can be dynamically changed during deployment. The circularly-packed network can transition between different configurations by varying the diameters of individual structural elements, enabling the same physical structure to form multiple different 3D geometric forms without requiring multiple separate deployable structures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters (diameters) of the structural elements to achieve different 3D structures. By adjusting the diameter parameters of the circularly-packed structural elements, the system can morph between different geometric configurations, directly addressing the need for adaptability to different geometric forms
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate deployable structures are used to achieve different geometric forms, then the adaptability to various applications is improved, but the loss of time for deployment and reconfiguration increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single deployable structure with adjustable structural elements serves multiple functions by forming different 3D geometric forms. The circularly-packed network can be configured to create various 3D structures suitable for different applications (shelters, robotic manipulation, etc.), eliminating the need to deploy multiple separate structures and significantly reducing reconfiguration time
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustability of structural element diameters allows rapid transformation between different geometric forms. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to various applications quickly without the time-consuming process of deploying and assembling multiple separate structures
3Adaptability or versatility
If the diameters of structural elements are made adjustable to form different 3D structures, then the versatility of the deployable structure is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structural elements utilize flexible circular components (rings or disks) that can change diameter through controlled deformation. This flexible shell approach allows diameter adjustment without complex mechanical expansion mechanisms, reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable diameter mechanism employs pneumatic or hydraulic actuation to inflate or deflate the circular structural elements, enabling smooth and continuous diameter changes. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach provides versatile diameter control with relatively simple actuation mechanisms compared to mechanical expansion systems
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to multiple three-dimensional (3D) structures formation from a network of circularly-packed structural elements. In one embodiment, a system includes a circularly-packed network of structural elements that form multiple 3D structures. Diameters of the structural elements define a shape of the 3D structures. The circularly-packed network is adaptable to form 1) a first 3D structure and 2) a second 3D structure with a different shape than the first 3D structure. The system also includes a set of joints that connect adjacent structural elements.