Compliant Actuation Mechanism for Symmetric Energy Harvester Snap Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compliant mechanisms used in energy harvesting generators often exhibit asymmetric actuation due to uneven stress distribution, limiting their application and providing different force feedback when transitioning between stable states.
Innovation Solution
The development of compliant mechanisms with a compressible frame and flexures that buckle symmetrically between stable states, allowing for equal force application and consistent feedback, manufactured using techniques like 3D printing or injection molding, ensuring symmetrical snap action and feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional compliant mechanisms are manufactured in an as-molded or as-printed state with no initial stress, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but asymmetric actuation occurs due to uneven stress distribution during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant mechanism is pre-loaded during assembly to introduce initial compressive stress in the as-molded or as-printed state. This preliminary action ensures that when the mechanism operates between stable states, the stress distribution remains symmetric, preventing asymmetric actuation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stress state parameter by introducing pre-compression through selective placement of components or application of force during assembly. This parameter change transforms the mechanism from an unstressed state to a pre-compressed state, enabling symmetric buckling behavior during operation
2Device complexity
If compliant mechanisms use flexible members that deflect to provide mobility, then device complexity is reduced, but asymmetric force feedback is experienced during actuation
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-loading the flexible members with compressive stress during assembly, the mechanism ensures symmetric force distribution during actuation. This preliminary action compensates for the inherent asymmetry that would otherwise occur when flexible members deflect between stable states
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-compression acts as a counterbalancing force that offsets the asymmetric stresses generated during operation. This counteracting force ensures that the flexible members experience symmetric loading conditions, providing consistent force feedback to the user
3Adaptability or versatility
If compliant mechanisms are designed with two stable states for energy harvesting, then functionality is improved, but asymmetric stress and strain are generated during transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is assembled in a pre-compressed state that establishes symmetric stress distribution before operation. This preliminary action ensures that transitions between the two stable states generate symmetric stress and strain, enabling reliable energy harvesting from both directions
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
This design enables symmetrical actuation and consistent force feedback, enhancing user experience and operational symmetry in energy harvesting applications, while reducing friction and backlash, thus improving the performance and reliability of energy harvesting generators.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one flexure buckles in the compressed configuration of the compressible frame
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a compliant mechanism that may be used in connection with energy harvesting technologies. In some embodiments, the compliant mechanism may be an actuation mechanism that is three-dimensionally printed and includes one or more stable states. In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism may be compressed prior to being inserted into a housing. The compliant mechanism may include a compressible frame that is compressible between a neutral configuration and a compressed configuration. The compressible frame may include a first sidewall with ends having corner members, a second sidewall with ends having corner members, the second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall, and the second sidewall connected to the first sidewall by at least one flexure, and at least one actuation component positioned along the at least one flexure.