Curved Rod Spatial Lattice for Lightweight Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lightweight structures, particularly those designed as spatial lattices, face challenges in achieving sufficient stability and rigidity to handle varying forces and applications, limiting their use to low-force scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight structure composed of structural units with six support points on a Cartesian coordinate system, connected by continuously concavely curved support rods forming a cuboid cluster with a flat outer shell and circular hole pattern, optimized for force dissipation and weight reduction, allowing for increased stability and broader application ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of stationary object

If lightweight material is used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but stability becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure weightVSAvoidstructure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is divided into multiple structural units, each consisting of six support points and support rods forming octahedral substructures. These modular units are connected to form a lattice that provides both weight reduction and stability through distributed load bearing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining lightweight support rods with a spatial lattice configuration. The lattice pattern itself acts as a composite system where the arrangement of elements provides structural stability that compensates for the lightweight nature of individual components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of stationary object

If material leanings are applied to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but stability becomes insufficient for high-force applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure weightVSAvoidforce resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional material thinning to a three-dimensional spatial lattice structure. By distributing material across three dimensions with support points at vertices and rods along edges, the structure achieves superior strength-to-weight ratio capable of handling high forces in multiple directions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional spatial lattice structures are used, then stability is improved, but weight reduction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure stabilityVSAvoidstructure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support rods are designed with continuously concavely curved geometry rather than straight lines. This curvature optimizes force flow through the structure, allowing more efficient load distribution and enabling greater weight reduction while maintaining stability compared to conventional straight-rode lattice structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of manufacture

If straight support rods are used in lattice structures, then manufacturing is simplified, but force flow and stability are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod fabrication simplicityVSAvoidforce dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support rods feature continuously concavely curved geometry that optimizes force flow paths. The curved shape allows forces to follow more natural stress trajectories through the material, improving force dissipation efficiency and overall structural stability while maintaining manufacturability through standardized curved profiles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2653626B1Lightweight construction structure
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 FESTO AG & CO KG
  • EP2653626B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The structure (11) has structure unit (12) including six supporting points (13a-13f), which lie on three coordinate axes of a Cartesian coordinate system stretched by X, Y and Z coordinates in pairs such that the points lying on the same axes are arranged with an equal distance on both sides of the coordinate system. Each point is tension- and pressure-resistantly connected with the other points by support bars (14) such that a support frame (15) is formed in each plane stretched from the two axes. The frame is composed of the four bars connected with each other at the points.