Electric Spiraling Piston and Systems Devices Apparatuses and Methods Utilizing Same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pistons are limited in their extended length due to the constraints of their cylindrical housing, lacking a high 'extended piston length' to 'retracted piston length' ratio, which restricts their applications in mechanical systems requiring greater extension and retraction capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An electric spiraling piston that transitions from a circularly spiraled position within a housing to a straight, rigid position when extended, utilizing a motor-driven axis to un-spiral and retract, allowing for a higher length ratio and enhanced operational flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional piston is contained within a cylindrical housing, then the piston can maintain structural stability, but the extended length is limited to the length of the cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is nested within a cylindrical housing in a spiral configuration, allowing the piston to be contained within the housing volume while extending beyond the housing length when in the extended position. The spiral path enables the piston to achieve an extended length greater than the housing length without increasing housing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The piston transitions from a linear one-dimensional movement to a three-dimensional spiral path within the housing. By utilizing the radial and axial dimensions simultaneously, the piston can achieve greater extended length while maintaining compact housing dimensions, effectively adding spatial efficiency through dimensional utilization
2Length of moving object
If the piston is made extractable to a straight orientation, then the extended length increases, but the retraction mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The piston follows a curved spiral path during extension and retraction, guided by the cylindrical housing geometry. This curved path eliminates the need for complex angular joints or articulated mechanisms, as the spiral constraint naturally guides the piston through smooth transitions between extended and retracted positions
Solution Approach 2:
The piston structure is segmented into multiple sections that can independently navigate the spiral path. Each segment can flex or adjust slightly to accommodate the spiral motion, distributing the mechanical complexity across multiple simple components rather than requiring a single complex retraction mechanism
3Length of moving object
If the piston is circularly retractable into a housing, then the retracted length decreases, but maintaining rigidity during spiraling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The piston incorporates flexible elements or thin-walled structures that can bend and conform to the spiral path during retraction, yet maintain sufficient rigidity to support loads when in the extended straight position. The flexibility allows the piston to navigate the spiral configuration without permanent deformation, while the overall structure retains strength when extended
4Adaptability or versatility
If the piston provides high extended length to retracted length ratio, then the operational flexibility increases, but the housing volume required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is nested within the housing in a spiral configuration that maximizes the use of available housing volume. The spiral path allows the piston to achieve a high extended-to-retracted length ratio while remaining contained within the housing boundaries, effectively nesting the extended piston form within the compact housing volume
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing three-dimensional spiral space rather than linear extension, the piston achieves greater operational flexibility without proportionally increasing housing volume. The spiral path efficiently packs the extended piston length into the housing volume by utilizing radial, axial, and angular dimensions simultaneously
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
Enables a significant increase in extended length while maintaining structural rigidity, facilitating applications such as curtain operation, door management, and interaction with various mechanical elements, offering improved versatility and efficiency in mechanical systems.
Implementation Method 1
The axis may be functionally connected to the drive shaft of an electric motor, such that motor torque is relayed to the axis
Implementation Method 2
A spiraling piston, according to embodiments, may be shaped in the form of an elongated sheet/strip of material, biased to round its cross-section shape from a flat shape and into the shape of: part of a circle, a full circle, or more than a circle
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an electric spiraling piston and systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods utilizing same. An electric spiraling piston includes a drum around which the piston spirals as it is being retracted. A spinning axis of the drum is functionally connected to the drive shaft of a motor, such that motor torque is relayed to the axis. The axis, when spinning with the drum in a first direction, causes the piston to un-spiral and extend out of a housing—while rounding its cross section—to assume a straight, rigid position/orientation. The Axis, when spinning with the drum in a second direction, causes the piston to be retracted back into the housing—while flattening its cross section—to assume a spiral orientation within the housing.