Multidirectional Truss Configurations for Structural Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structural configurations, such as trusses, often compromise between stability and weight, and fail to provide adequate rigidity in multiple directions, leading to inefficiencies in load distribution and stress concentration.
Innovation Solution
The development of multidirectional truss-configurations using continuous layers with specific face geometries and connections, including main-faces, side-faces, bridge-faces, and bridge-side-faces, which allow for multiple paths of force transfer and increased structural rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional truss configurations are used, then stability is provided, but rigidity in multiple directions is insufficient and stress concentration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional truss configurations to three-dimensional continuous layers with main-faces, side-faces, and bridge-faces. This dimensional enhancement creates multiple load transfer paths in various directions, simultaneously improving stability and multi-directional rigidity without causing stress concentration
2Strength
If more structural members are added to increase rigidity, then strength improves, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple structural functions into continuous layers that simultaneously provide stability, multi-directional rigidity, and load distribution. The continuous layers with integrated main-faces, side-faces, and bridge-faces eliminate the need for separate discrete members, achieving high strength-to-weight ratio by consolidating structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous layers serve multiple functions: they provide structural stability, distribute loads in multiple directions, and maintain rigidity simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the total material required compared to traditional designs that need separate components for each function
3Ease of manufacture
If discrete structural members are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but load distribution is inefficient and stress concentration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete structural members into continuous layers, eliminating joints and connections that create stress concentrations. The continuous structure distributes loads smoothly across the entire layer system, improving load distribution efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated construction
Data Source
AI summary
A structural element includes a continuous layer comprising a set of first main-faces defining a first surface and a set of second main-faces defining a second surface and the continuous layer extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein along a first direction, the first main-faces and the second main-faces alternate in order and are connected by first side-faces, along a second direction different from the first direction, the first main-faces and the second main-faces alternate in order and are connected by second side-faces, and along a third direction different from the first direction and different from the second direction, a pair of neighboring first main-faces is connected by a first bridge-face, and the first bridge-face is connected to neighboring second main-faces by first bridge-side-faces.