Modular Flexible Reticular Structure for Maintenance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flexible reticular structures require the entire movable surface to be removed or replaced for repair or maintenance, and they typically use two motors for bidirectional movement, making these processes costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

A modular flexible reticular structure with interchangeable modules linked by attachment rods, allowing for single-motor operation in both directions, and enabling individual module replacement or addition of adaptive elements like brushes for various applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire movable surface is removed or replaced for repair or maintenance, then the system can be restored to full functionality, but the economic cost and time required for maintenance increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidmaintenance cost and time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The movable surface is divided into multiple independent modules that can be individually removed, repaired, or replaced. Each module contains a portion of the bristle brushes and can be detached without affecting other modules, allowing selective maintenance rather than complete surface replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bristle brushes are extracted as separate replaceable components from the modules. When wear occurs, only the affected bristle brushes can be removed and replaced individually, rather than replacing entire modules or the complete movable surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If two motors are used to operate the movable surface in both directions, then bidirectional movement is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional movement capabilityVSAvoidmotor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Two separate motors that would normally be required for bidirectional movement are merged into a single motor system. The single motor can operate in two rotational directions, with each direction controlling movement in one of the two lateral directions along the guides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor system is made dynamic by allowing the single motor to switch between two rotational directions. This dynamic capability enables the motor to control bidirectional movement of the modules along the guides without requiring separate motors for each direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the movable surface is designed as a single integrated structure, then structural integrity is maintained, but adaptability to different applications and ease of maintenance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidapplication-specific adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The movable surface is segmented into standardized modules that maintain structural integrity through precise connection mechanisms between adjacent modules. Each module can be independently configured with specific bristle brush arrangements, allowing adaptability to different applications while preserving overall structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modules are designed with universal features including standardized guides for lateral movement, standardized connections to the reticular structure, and configurable bristle brush arrangements. This universality allows the same module design to be used in different applications by simply changing the bristle brush configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3106411B1Flexible reticular structure
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 MFR Y TRANSFORMADOS AB
  • EP3106411B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3106411B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3106411B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a flexible reticular structure which comprises a movable surface (1) the movement of which is operated by operating means (2), and is characterized in that said surface (1) is formed by a plurality of modules (3, 4) linked to one another. Said modules (3, 4) forming the surface (1) are preferably linked to one another by means of attachment rods (5), each of said rods (5) being housed in holes provided in at least two of said modules (3, 4). The present invention prevents the need to disassemble and replace the entire movable surface, rather only the affected module or modules, for repair or maintenance.