Inverted Rolling Element Mechanisms for Flexible Buckling Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compliant mechanisms suffer from unwanted axial stiffness, are prone to buckling, and cannot be manufactured as single piece devices, limiting their flexibility and rotational strength.

Innovation Solution

The development of inverted contact-aided rolling element (ICORE) mechanisms, which incorporate flexible and rigid components in a configuration that allows for tailored axial stiffness and rotational strength, enabling manufacturing as a single piece using 3D printing and reducing stress on flexible members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing compliant mechanisms are used, then flexibility is achieved, but axial stiffness is unwanted and buckling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidaxial stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional compliant mechanism configuration by placing rigid components inside flexible components rather than flexible components outside rigid components. This inversion allows the mechanism to achieve flexibility through the flexible components while the internal rigid components provide axial stiffness and prevent buckling, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and axial stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism combines flexible components and rigid components into a composite structure where each material type contributes its advantageous properties. The flexible components provide adaptability and motion capability, while the rigid components provide structural support and axial stiffness, together eliminating the buckling problem while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If existing compliant mechanisms are used, then motion transformation is achieved, but they cannot be manufactured as single piece devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion transformationVSAvoidsingle piece manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the flexible components and rigid components into a single integrated structure that can be manufactured as one piece using additive manufacturing. The flexible components have internal cavities that accommodate the rigid components, creating a unified design that maintains motion transformation capability while enabling single-piece manufacturing and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If existing compliant mechanisms are used, then reduced part count is achieved, but rotational strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepart countVSAvoidrotational strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the configuration to place rigid components inside flexible components, the patent positions the high-strength rigid material at the location where rotational strength is most needed. The rigid components act as internal reinforcement that enhances rotational strength while the flexible components maintain the reduced part count benefit through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

ICORE mechanisms provide improved flexibility, reduced stress, and enhanced manufacturability, allowing for tailored force-displacement and moment-rotation stiffness responses while maintaining high compressive load-bearing capabilities without transmitting forces through flexible members.

Implementation Method 1

Compliant mechanisms (CM's) transfer or transform motion, force, or energy via the deformation of flexible members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the first rigid component, second rigid component, first flexible component, and second flexible component are manufactured using 3D printing

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Data Source

PatentUS20240337286A1Inverted contact-aided rolling element mechanisms and devices

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 33 MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Inverted contact-aided rolling element mechanisms and devices are discussed herein. In various embodiments, the contact-aided compliant mechanism includes a first rigid component, a second rigid component, a first flexible component, a second flexible component, each of the first and second flexible components comprising a first end, a second end, and a third end, and the first and second flexible components disposed between the first and second rigid components.