Extendable Arm Polygonal Frame for Variable Area Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies do not effectively utilize extendable arms to change the area or volume of frames and three-dimensional structures in a controlled and efficient manner.
Innovation Solution
A variable area frame and three-dimensional structure design that incorporates extendable arms with pivotally coupled cross units and a coupling mechanism, allowing for the extension and contraction of arms to adjust the area or volume, utilizing a combination of inner and outer end coupling shafts and bent members to maintain shape similarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If extendable arms are used to change the area or volume of frames and structures, then the versatility and adaptability of the structure is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for coupling mechanisms and multiple cross units
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable arm is divided into multiple cross units, each consisting of two rigid members connected by a middle coupling shaft. This segmentation allows the arm to extend and contract in a curved path while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity by breaking down the complex motion into simpler modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cross units are nested along the length of the extendable arm, with each unit containing pivot connections and coupling shafts within the structure of the arm itself. This nesting allows the complex mechanism to be compact when contracted and extended when needed, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a coupling mechanism is added to couple adjoining extendable arms so they can move together, then the stability of the polygonal frame is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism merges adjoining extendable arms at the corners of the polygonal frame through shared coupling shafts and bent members. This merging ensures that when one arm extends or contracts, the adjacent arms move in coordination, maintaining the geometric stability of the frame while using a unified mechanism rather than separate controls for each arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates bent members with specific bend angles (A/n where A is the sum of interior angles) that guide the extendable arms through curved motion paths. This curvature allows the arms to change length while maintaining smooth angular transitions at the corners, stabilizing the frame composition without requiring complex rigid joint mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the extendable arm extends and contracts in a curved path using multiple cross units, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable arm is designed as a dynamic structure with multiple pivot connections and coupling shafts that allow it to extend and contract smoothly along a curved path. The pivotally connected rigid members can rotate relative to each other, enabling continuous motion without rigid locking mechanisms, which improves ease of operation while the modular dynamic units keep complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry of the extendable arm changes continuously as it extends and contracts, with the angle between rigid members and the position of coupling shafts varying along the curved path. This parameter change approach allows smooth operation without discrete steps or complex control systems, as the motion naturally follows the geometric constraints of the linked rigid members.
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 the controlled change in area or volume of frames and three-dimensional structures, allowing for various applications such as toys, architectural structures, and adjustable components, with the ability to manually or automatically adjust the size.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the extendable arms includes a plurality of cross units each formed by pivotally coupling two rigid members, which cross each other to form an X-shape, via a middle coupling shaft
Implementation Method 2
an end coupling portion that pivotally couples ends of adjoining ones of the cross units
Implementation Method 3
The first bent member pivotally couples the inner end coupling shaft of the extendable arm of one of the adjoining two sides of the polygonal frame and the outer end coupling shaft of the extendable arm of the other side
Data Source
AI summary
A variable area frame includes: extendable arms forming each side of a polygonal frame; and a coupling mechanism that couples adjoining two of the extendable arms so that these two extendable arms can move together, in order to allow adjoining two sides of the polygonal frame to extend and contract together. Each extendable arm includes a plurality of cross units each formed by pivotally coupling two rigid members, which cross each other to form an X-shape, via a middle coupling shaft, and an end coupling portion that pivotally couples ends of adjoining ones of the cross units.