Dynamic Anti-Buckling Support for Slender Members

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a means to provide lateral support that prevents buckling in long slender members under high axial compression stress and changing length, which is not adequately addressed in prior art, especially in applications involving shape memory alloy wires.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dynamic anti-buckling lateral supports, including inter-sliding arms, collapsing cages, stationary confining tubes with load transfer pins, closely spaced rigid washers, and folded SMA wire pack actuators, to provide continuous and rigid constraining support along the dynamic length of the wire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If lateral support is provided for the dynamic length portion of the wire, then buckling is prevented, but the wire cannot freely expand and contract axially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuckling preventionVSAvoidaxial expansion and contraction freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into stationary support elements and dynamic support elements that can move independently. The stationary elements provide stable lateral support while the dynamic elements accommodate axial length changes, allowing the wire to expand and contract without causing buckling in the supported portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure incorporates movable and adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to the changing length of the wire. The support elements are designed to maintain lateral stability while allowing axial displacement, creating a dynamic support system that prevents buckling during expansion and contraction cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If continuous lateral support is provided along the dynamic length, then buckling is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuckling preventionVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing uniform continuous support along the entire dynamic length, the invention applies lateral support locally at specific positions where buckling is most likely to occur. The support elements are strategically placed to provide stability where needed while leaving other portions of the wire free to move, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support system provides lateral support at more locations than strictly minimum required, using multiple discrete support elements distributed along the dynamic length. This partial over-supporting approach ensures adequate buckling prevention while maintaining relatively simple individual support components and overall structural clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid constraining support is provided to prevent bending, then buckling is prevented, but the wire cannot deform elastically or plastically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuckling preventionVSAvoidelastic and plastic deformation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wire is divided into supported and unsupported segments. The supported segments receive rigid lateral support to prevent buckling during compression, while the unsupported segments remain free to undergo elastic and plastic deformation. This segmentation allows different portions of the wire to serve different functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rigid lateral support is applied locally only to the portion of the wire that requires buckling prevention, while other portions maintain their natural deformation capability. The support elements are positioned to constrain lateral bending without restricting axial compression and elongation, allowing localized stability while preserving global deformability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

These solutions effectively prevent buckling in wires under high axial compression stress and changing length, enabling reliable operation in applications such as semi-continuous compression and open die extrusion of unlimited wire lengths.

Implementation Method 1

causing it to elongate when heated to induce a phase transformation into the austenitic parent phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transformation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

A long slender member such as a rod or wire (hereafter referred to as a wire) which is in a state of high axial compression stress and is changing in length without lateral structural support is subject to bending due to elastic instability (hereafter referred to as buckling)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic instability: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10677230B2Dynamic anti-buckling support for a long slender member with a high axial compression stress state and changing length

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 AUSTEN ALFRED R

AI summary

Apparatus and method for supporting an elongated slender member having a high axial compression stress state during a change in length of the member.