Lightweight Truss with Curved Support Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightweight structures, particularly those formed as frameworks, face challenges in achieving sufficient stability and rigidity without compromising weight reduction, which limits their range of applications.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight structure design featuring continuously merging support rods with C2 continuity transitions, forming a three-dimensional framework of modular support structures such as polyhedra and fractals, and incorporating ring anchors and cover plates for enhanced stability and force dissipation, including the use of hexagonal close packing and ball-like nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If lightweight structures are formed as frameworks with discrete connecting components, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but stress peaks occur at connection points leading to reduced stability and potential component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges discrete connecting components into continuous support rods that flow seamlessly through the truss structure. This eliminates separate connection points and creates a unified load-bearing element, resolving the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing simplicity while eliminating stress concentration at joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rods feature curvature-continuous transitions (C2 continuity) throughout the structure, replacing sharp angular connections with smooth curved transitions. This distributes stress evenly along the rod length, preventing stress peaks at connection points while maintaining structural integrity and stability.
2Weight of stationary object
If material leanings are applied to conventionally used materials, then weight reduction is achieved, but structural stability and rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the support rods by implementing curvature-continuous transitions and optimized truss configurations. This allows conventional materials to achieve both weight reduction through material leanings and maintained stability through improved structural geometry and stress distribution.
3Ease of manufacture
If discrete support rods are connected using conventional joining methods, then manufacturing is easier, but stress peaks occur at connection points causing potential component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges separate support rod segments into continuous, seamlessly connected elements. This eliminates the need for conventional joining methods at connection points, thereby avoiding stress concentration while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through continuous forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing C2 continuous curvature transitions, the patent replaces sharp connection points with smooth curved transitions. This geometric modification distributes mechanical stresses evenly along the support rods, preventing stress peaks that would lead to component failure while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized curved profiles.
Data Source
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AI summary
The structure (11) has a structure unit (12) comprising a circular beam (16) with star-shaped, radially outwardly-running supporting rods (13) that are connected with one another in a steady manner such that a framework is formed, where the rods run in an axial direction. The rods are connected to supporting structures that are designed as supporting polygons or supporting triangles. The rods comprise upper and lower covering plates, where the structure unit is designed with hexagonal outer contour. Spherical nodes are formed at connection points between the rods.