Mesostructural Restoring Unit for Adaptive Force Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reset units for operating devices in construction machinery and commercial vehicles are resource-intensive and costly due to their design, lacking adaptivity and requiring multiple materials, which complicates maintenance and adaptability to different applications.

Innovation Solution

A mesostructural reset unit utilizing an ordered arrangement of unit cells with pores, allowing for reversible compression and expansion, and featuring a combination of elastic and adaptive elements to generate a restoring force, enabling adaptive and resource-efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical actuators are used as reset units, then adaptability of the force curve can be changed after installation, but the space and material requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of force curveVSAvoidspace and material requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical actuators with a purely mechanical reset unit design. The elastic element (spring or elastomer) provides the restoring force mechanically, while the adapting module mechanically adjusts the pre-tensioning of the spring to change the force curve characteristics. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for complex electrical systems, reducing space and material requirements while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The reset unit is divided into separate functional modules: an elastic element for generating restoring force, an adapting module for adjusting pre-tensioning, and optionally a damping module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables flexible configuration to meet different space and performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If adaptive elastic materials are used, then material properties such as elasticity can be changed by applying current or magnetic field, but the design becomes space and material intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of material propertiesVSAvoidspace and material requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using adaptive elastic materials that require current or magnetic fields for property changes, the patent employs conventional elastic materials combined with a mechanical adapting module. The adaptation is achieved through mechanical pre-tensioning adjustment of the spring, eliminating the need for complex electrical or magnetic systems and their associated space and material requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If elastic elements are replaced and new ones with desired elasticity are installed, then the restoring force can be adjusted, but the maintenance becomes costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of restoring forceVSAvoidmaintenance cost and time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The reset unit is designed with segmented, modular components including the elastic element, adapting module, and damping module. This segmentation allows the adapting module to be independently adjusted without replacing the entire elastic element, significantly reducing maintenance time and cost while maintaining the desired restoring force characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapting module provides dynamic adjustability of the spring pre-tensioning, allowing the restoring force to be modified without physical replacement of components. This dynamic adjustment capability enables flexible adaptation to different application requirements while simplifying maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a spring is preceded by an actuator to pretension the spring, then the restoring force can be changed, but the resource-intensive design increases costs and space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to change restoring forceVSAvoidcosts and space requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical actuator with a purely mechanical adapting module that adjusts spring pre-tensioning through mechanical means. This substitution eliminates the need for additional electrical components, reducing both space requirements and material costs while maintaining the ability to change the restoring force as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 mesostructural reset unit provides a resource-saving, adaptable solution with reduced maintenance costs, allowing for customizable force feedback and increased application variability through interchangeable mesostructures and smart material integration.

Implementation Method 1

the at least two unit cells each having at least one pore through which the Unit cells can be reversibly compressed and expanded by means of force, with a restoring force of the restoring unit being able to be generated at least partially by deforming the mesostructure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4273415A1Mesostructural restoring unit
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 ELOBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4273415A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4273415A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4273415A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a restoring unit (1) for restoring rotational and/or translational deflection movements of an actuating element, comprising an ordered mesostructure (2) of unit cells (3) formed from an ordered arrangement of at least two unit cells (3), wherein the at least two unit cells (3) each have at least one pore (4) through which the unit cells (3) can be reversibly compressed and expanded by means of force, wherein a restoring force of the restoring unit (1) can be generated at least partially by deformation of the mesostructure (2).