Gradient Minimal Surface Design for Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimal surface structures, such as Gyroid, exhibit softening behavior under axial compression, leading to reduced energy absorption performance and inadequate load-bearing capacity, which is not sufficiently addressed by current design methods like functional gradient, cell hybrid, multilevel structure, and model parameter optimization.
Innovation Solution
A method for designing gradient minimal surface structures based on surface density distribution using a Cryptographically Secure Pseudo-Random Number Generator (CSPRNG) to generate parameter sets for two-dimensional and minimal surface equations, followed by additive manufacturing to create gradient structure specimens, and quasi-static compression testing to optimize mechanical response and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If gradient minimal surface structures are designed to enhance energy absorption, then energy absorption performance is improved, but mechanical response stability deteriorates due to continued hardening behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing non-uniform wall thickness distribution across the structure. Different regions have different wall thicknesses to create specific mechanical responses - thicker walls in certain areas provide strength and stability, while thinner walls in other areas enable energy absorption through controlled deformation. This local variation resolves the contradiction by allowing the structure to simultaneously maintain stability and absorb energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by systematically varying the wall thickness parameter throughout the structure. By changing this geometric parameter spatially, the structure achieves different mechanical properties in different regions. This parameter variation enables the structure to exhibit both stable mechanical response (through adequate thickness in critical areas) and improved energy absorption (through reduced thickness in energy-dissipating regions).
2Device complexity
If traditional Gyroid minimal surface structures are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but mechanical response stability deteriorates due to softening behavior under axial compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the traditional Gyroid structure by applying local quality through spatially varying wall thickness. Instead of uniform thickness throughout, the structure has differentiated thickness regions that prevent the softening behavior characteristic of traditional Gyroid structures. This local modification maintains the overall simplicity of the Gyroid topology while correcting its mechanical deficiencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite-like structure by combining the Gyroid minimal surface topology with non-uniform wall thickness distribution. This composite approach integrates the geometric simplicity of the original Gyroid structure with the mechanical advantages of gradient structures, achieving both structural simplicity and improved mechanical response stability.
3Strength
If wall thickness is increased to improve load bearing capacity, then strength is enhanced, but energy absorption performance deteriorates due to reduced deformation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality through spatially differentiated wall thickness. Critical load-bearing regions have increased wall thickness to provide strength, while regions designed for energy absorption have reduced wall thickness to enable deformation. This local variation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve high load bearing capacity and excellent energy absorption performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the structure into functional zones with different wall thickness characteristics. Load-bearing segments have thicker walls for strength, while energy-absorbing segments have thinner walls for deformation capability. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for designing a gradient minimal surface structure based on a surface density distribution. The method comprises initializing pending parameters of a two-dimensional surface equation and a minimal surface equation in a system; generating a plurality of pending parameter sets based on initial values and preset ranges of the pending parameters of the two-dimensional surface equation and the minimal surface equation using a CSPRNG; establishing a plurality sets of two-dimensional surface equations and a plurality sets of minimal surface equations; establishing a plurality of gradient structure equations; generating a plurality of three-dimensional models of minimal surface structures; making a plurality of gradient structure specimens by an additive manufacturing technique; obtaining a plurality sets of structure stress-strain curves and force-displacement curves by performing a test; calculating a platform stress and an energy absorption of the plurality of gradient structure specimens; and determining target structure types to realize an optimized design of the gradient minimal surface structure based on the surface density. The mechanical response stability and the energy absorption performance of the minimal surface structures can be improved.