Composite Anisotropic Support Structure for Portable Load Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable structures that use inflatable elements for structural support face limitations in compressive strength and rigidity, making them unsuitable for carrying significant loads, and are often difficult to collapse and reuse.
Innovation Solution
A support structure composed of composite anisotropic material with high modulus unidirectional fibers embedded in a polymer matrix, which provides significantly higher compressive strength along the fiber direction while maintaining flexibility in the transverse direction, allowing for easy collapsibility and increased structural rigidity when inflated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional flexible materials are used for portable structures, then the structure can be folded and rolled for easy transport, but the compressive strength is much less than non-flexible materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material consisting of a flexible base material reinforced with an isotropic wire mesh structure. The wire mesh provides compressive strength and structural rigidity while the flexible base material maintains portability and collapsibility. This composite construction resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire mesh reinforcement is strategically positioned within the flexible material to provide structural support specifically in regions requiring compressive strength. The mesh density and configuration can be varied locally to optimize the balance between rigidity and flexibility in different areas of the structure.
2Ease of operation
If air-supported elements are used to provide structural support, then the structure can be collapsed for transport and storage, but the structural properties are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines air-supported elements with a wire mesh-reinforced flexible material to create a composite structure. The wire mesh provides permanent structural reinforcement that enhances load-bearing capacity while maintaining the collapsibility feature of air-supported structures. This resolves the limitation of pure air-supported elements by adding a structural framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is divided into multiple segments or panels, each reinforced with wire mesh and capable of independent collapse. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain structural integrity when partially deployed while enabling easy collapse for transport by deflating individual sections.
3Strength
If resin-impregnated fibers are used to stiffen inflatable tubes, then structural rigidity is improved, but the structure cannot be conveniently collapsed for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible wire mesh structure embedded in a flexible base material, replacing the rigid resin-impregnated fiber approach. The wire mesh maintains structural rigidity when the structure is inflated or loaded, but allows the material to remain flexible and collapsible when deflated, enabling convenient transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural rigidity is made dynamic rather than static. The wire mesh provides rigidity only when needed (when the structure is inflated or under load), while allowing flexibility and collapse when the structure is deflated. This dynamic property resolution allows the structure to switch between rigid and flexible states as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a readily collapsible lightweight, support structure utilizing one or more three dimensional shapes formed from a material exhibiting compressive strength in a high longitudinal to transverse ratio. The composite anisotropic materials preferably comprise a reinforced polymer with continuous, high modulus unidirectional fibers.