Composite Articulated Arm Segment with Integrated Actuation Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing articulated arm segments made of composite materials face challenges such as complex and costly manufacturing processes, high weight, and inefficient mechanical resistance optimization, leading to bulkiness and maneuverability issues during transport and use.

Innovation Solution

A composite material segment with a box-like cross-section and integrated actuation member attachment zones, featuring a protruding zone with converging sides and filleted tracts to optimize actuation member positioning and mechanical resistance, allowing for a compact and lightweight design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If segments are made of composite material to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases and cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegment weightVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the attachment zone and actuation member directly into the composite segment body, eliminating separate metal tracts and brackets. This merging reduces the number of components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining weight reduction benefits of composite materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials (carbon, glass, or aramidic fibers in binding resin) for the entire segment including attachment zones, replacing traditional metal construction. This maintains the weight advantage while the integrated design simplifies the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If attachment zones are made of metal material for strength, then mechanical resistance improves, but overall weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment zone strengthVSAvoidsegment weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment zone is constructed from composite materials matching the segment body, eliminating metal components. The composite material provides sufficient strength while maintaining the weight advantages of the overall composite construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment zone is designed with specific local geometry (protruding zone with converging sides) that optimizes stress distribution and mechanical resistance at the attachment point, allowing the composite material to achieve required strength without metal reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If actuation member position is not correlated to mechanical resistance, then positioning is simple, but segment sections must be oversized increasing weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment zone positioningVSAvoidsegment weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment zone features a protruding geometry with converging sides that creates optimal stress distribution and mechanical resistance at the specific attachment point. This localized design allows precise positioning of the actuation member while minimizing material usage and segment weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding zone incorporates rounded corners and filleted transitions that smooth stress concentrations and optimize mechanical resistance. The curved geometry provides structural efficiency at the attachment point, allowing proper actuation member positioning without oversizing the segment sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Volume of moving object

If articulated arm segments are compact for transport, then maneuverability improves, but mechanical resistance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulated arm bulkVSAvoidsegment mechanical resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The segment employs rounded corners and filleted transitions in the protruding attachment zone that optimize stress distribution. These curved features maintain mechanical resistance while enabling a more compact segment design for improved maneuverability during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment zone is designed with specific local geometry that concentrates structural strength where needed (at the actuation member connection points) while allowing the overall segment to be more compact. This localized optimization maintains mechanical resistance without increasing overall bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9822535B2Segment of an articulated arm and articulated arm comprising said segment

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 CIFA

AI summary

Segment of an articulated arm made of composite material, with an elongated shape defining a longitudinal axis, and having a box-like cross section. The segment includes a first end portion, configured for the pivoting of a further segment, a second intermediate portion configured for the pivoting of an actuation member, and a third end portion. The first, second and third portions are made in a single body. The second intermediate portion includes a protruding zone defined by a first side and by a second side converging with respect to each other to define a top. Pivoting elements are provided in the protruding zone for the pivoting of the actuation member between the protruding zone and the first end portion. The first and the second side defining the protruding zone are filleted to substantially rectilinear adjacent tracts of the first and third end portions.