Lattice Cell Modifications for Damage Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Additive manufacturing machines struggle to build lattice structures that maintain mechanical properties under excessive forces without sustaining damage, as they often exceed displacement thresholds, leading to loss of functionality.

Innovation Solution

A lattice cell modification engine is used to add a behavior adjustment structure to the lattice cells, allowing for adjustments in mechanical properties such as compressibility and stiffness, enabling the lattice structure to withstand large forces by incorporating elements like curved plates that resist further compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If lattice structures are designed to be compressible for consumer and sporting goods, then comfort and energy absorption are improved, but the structure becomes vulnerable to excessive forces that exceed displacement thresholds and cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompressibilityVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lattice structure incorporates a dynamic behavior adjustment structure that transitions from a compliant state during normal compression to a restrictive state when excessive forces are detected. This dynamic adaptation allows the structure to maintain comfort under normal use while automatically protecting against damage when force thresholds are exceeded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the lattice structure by introducing a behavior adjustment structure that modifies stiffness and compressibility based on applied force levels. Under normal conditions, the structure maintains high compressibility for comfort, but under excessive force, the parameters shift to increase rigidity and prevent displacement beyond damage thresholds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the lattice structure is made stiffer to resist excessive forces, then damage resistance is improved, but comfort and energy absorption under normal use deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidcompressibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The behavior adjustment structure enables the lattice to dynamically switch between compliant and restrictive behaviors based on the magnitude of applied forces. During normal use, the structure remains compliant for comfort, but automatically stiffens when force thresholds indicate potential damage, thus resolving the contradiction between comfort and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The behavior adjustment structure is designed to activate before permanent damage occurs, applying counter-action to excessive forces. This preliminary protective mechanism prevents the lattice from reaching displacement thresholds that would cause damage, while remaining inactive during normal compression to preserve comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If behavior adjustment structures are added to lattice cells, then protection against excessive forces is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The behavior adjustment structure is segmented into modular components that can be integrated into individual lattice cells. This segmentation allows the protective function to be distributed across the lattice structure without requiring a completely new design, thereby managing complexity through modular repetition of proven units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The behavior adjustment structure serves multiple functions: it provides comfort under normal compression, protects against excessive forces, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving enhanced reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The modified lattice structures can maintain their target properties under various conditions, including excessive forces, preventing damage and ensuring continued functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a behavior adjustment structure that is connected to a selected beam of the arrangement of beams... allowing for adjustments in mechanical properties such as compressibility and stiffness... elements like curved plates that resist further compression

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240320403A1Lattice cell modifications

Publication Date: 2024.09.26 PERIDOT PRINT LLC

AI summary

In some examples, a system receives a representation of a lattice cell and information representing a target modified behavior of the lattice cell. The representation of the lattice cell including an arrangement of beams of the lattice cell. The system generates a modified lattice cell based on the representation of the lattice cell and the information, where the modified lattice cell includes the arrangement of the beams and an added behavior adjustment structure that is connected to a selected beam of the arrangement of the beams.