Pneumatic structure and associated production method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic structures have limited mechanical properties due to the large volume of internal cavities compared to the material in the walls, leading to difficulties in shape transformation and fixed, non-folding configurations, with existing designs mainly inducing one-dimensional deformations that limit the complexity of shapes that can be achieved.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic structure with an elastically deformable body containing interconnected internal cavities that can be pressurized to change shape, featuring a macroscopic metric change with non-zero Gaussian curvature, allowing for multiple pressurized configurations including dome and horse saddle shapes, achieved through careful design of cavity geometry and material properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic structure is integrated into a garment to provide cushioning and protection, then safety and comfort are improved, but the weight and bulk of the garment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane as the pneumatic structure that can be integrated into the garment. This thin film approach provides the necessary cushioning and protection while minimizing weight and bulk compared to traditional rigid protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pneumatic system with an expandable element that can be inflated with gas to provide impact protection. The use of gas instead of solid materials reduces weight while maintaining safety performance.
2Reliability
If a pneumatic structure is integrated into a garment to provide cushioning and protection, then safety and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pneumatic protective structure with the garment itself, integrating the safety function into the clothing rather than adding separate protective equipment. This merging reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment serves multiple functions: it provides normal clothing coverage while also incorporating impact protection through the pneumatic structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective gear.
3Reliability
If material is added to a garment to provide impact protection, then safety is improved, but the freedom of movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The expandable element can inflate upon impact and then deflate to return the garment to its original flexible state, maintaining freedom of movement during normal activity while providing protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a flexible membrane allows the protective structure to move with the garment and the wearer's body, preventing restriction of movement while still providing impact protection when inflated.
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
Enables rapid and controlled shape transformation with minimal deformation at the cavity level, achieving desired three-dimensional shapes with non-zero Gaussian curvature, improving the mechanical properties and foldability of pneumatic structures.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic structure (10) integrated into the garment, the pneumatic structure (10) comprising an expandable element (11) transforming from a deflated state to an inflated state upon impact
Implementation Method 2
The expandable element comprises an outer wall, an inner wall arranged opposite the outer wall and defining a chamber therebetween, and a viscous fluid contained in the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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AI summary
The structure (10) comprises an elastically deformable body (12) defining at least one network of internal cavities (14), each internal cavity (14) having a closed contour in at least one section of the internal cavity (14). Each internal cavity (14) is able to be pressurized so as to make the elastically deformable body (12) pass from a rest configuration to at least one pressurized configuration. In each pressurized configuration, the elastically deformable body (12) has a macroscopic metric that is distinct from its macroscopic metric in the rest position. In each pressurized configuration, the radius of curvature of an outer surface of the elastically deformable body (12), considered regarding each internal cavity (14) adjacent to the outer surface, is greater than twice the size of the internal cavity (14) adjacent to the outer surface.