Collapsible Assembly With Segmented Cellular Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for expandable assemblies that can change between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, allowing for compact transportation and deployment in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible assembly comprising primary and secondary cells with hinge elements that move in a specific direction to change the assembly's configuration, reducing its surface area when collapsing, and featuring intermediary cells and coupling elements to facilitate this movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the assembly is designed to be expandable between extended and collapsed configurations, then the assembly can be carried far distances in tight spaces in a collapsed configuration, but the structural integrity and stability during configuration changes may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is divided into multiple cellular units (primary cells and secondary cells) that can independently fold and collapse. Each cell contains hinge elements that allow controlled movement, enabling the entire assembly to collapse into a compact configuration while maintaining structural integrity through the modular segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible assembly employs a nested configuration where secondary cells are positioned within and around primary cells. When collapsed, the secondary cells fold inside the primary cells, creating a compact nested structure that minimizes volume while maintaining structural coherence through the hierarchical nesting arrangement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hinge elements are coupled to provide hinge connections for configuration changes, then the assembly can transition between extended and collapsed states, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge elements are designed as universal components that can be repeatedly coupled and decoupled to enable configuration changes. The same hinge element design is used throughout the assembly, allowing a single standardized component to perform multiple coupling functions across different cells, thereby reducing overall complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connections are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the assembly to transition smoothly between extended and collapsed configurations. The hinge elements enable controlled movement and reconfiguration without requiring complex locking mechanisms, as the dynamic nature of the hinge connections allows for easy state changes.
3Area of moving object
If the primary cell surface and secondary cell surface move from an axis parallel to the collapsibility axis to an axis perpendicular to reduce surface area, then the assembly achieves compact collapsed configuration, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cell surfaces are designed with curved geometries that facilitate smooth transitions between extended and collapsed configurations. The curvature of the surfaces allows for gradual rotation and movement during folding, reducing the precision requirements compared to sharp angular transitions, while still achieving significant surface area reduction in the collapsed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly utilizes three-dimensional spatial rearrangement during collapse, where surfaces move not only in rotation but also in translation along multiple axes. This multi-dimensional movement allows for efficient packing and surface area reduction while distributing the movement requirements across different spatial dimensions, thereby reducing the precision burden on any single movement axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible assembly configured to change, along a collapsibility axis, between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration is described. The collapsible assembly comprises at least two symmetrical peripheral units, each comprising a primary cell and a secondary cell. The primary cell includes a corresponding cell surface and a primary cell hinge element. The secondary cell includes a corresponding cell surface and a secondary cell hinge element, where the secondary cell hinge element is complementary to the primary cell hinge element. The collapsible assembly also includes an intermediary cell positioned within the two peripheral unit assemblies and is coupled to the secondary cells of each peripheral unit assembly using coupling elements.