Articulatable Device with Rigidizable Scale-Like Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional articulatable devices are often heavy and bulky due to the need for rigidity, making them less mobile and less suitable for applications requiring flexibility and lightness, such as in space exploration or surveillance where they must support their own weight and carried loads while maintaining maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A selectively rigidizable and actively steerable articulatable device is developed, featuring a flexible inner tube surrounded by a flexible outer tube with overlapping scale-like strips that can be actuatably rigidized by controlling frictional forces between them, using electrostatic or pneumatic systems, allowing for customizable rigidity and steering capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional articulatable devices use rigid structures to support weight and maintain strength, then the device can support its own weight and carried loads, but the device becomes heavy and bulky, reducing mobility and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamically controllable rigidity through friction-based coupling between telescoping segments. By adjusting friction forces (via normal forces from springs or other mechanisms), the device can transition between flexible and rigid states as needed, rather than maintaining constant rigidity. This allows the structure to be lightweight yet strong when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of rigidity by controlling frictional forces at the interfaces between telescoping segments. By varying normal forces (through springs, pneumatic actuators, or other mechanisms), the friction coefficient and resulting rigidity can be dynamically adjusted to match task requirements, resolving the contradiction between needing strength and minimizing weight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional articulatable devices use rigid structures to maintain shape and support tools, then the device can maintain stability and support tools, but the device becomes bulky and less maneuverable
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses dynamically adjustable friction coupling between segments to transition between flexible (for maneuverability) and rigid (for shape stability) states. This allows the device to be maneuverable when needed and maintain stable shapes when supporting tools or performing tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can independently adjust their coupling strength. This segmentation allows different parts of the device to have different rigidity levels simultaneously, enabling maneuverable sections while maintaining stable tool-holding sections.
3Weight of moving object
If conventional articulatable devices are designed to be lightweight and flexible, then the device achieves mobility and maneuverability, but the device lacks the strength and rigidity to support its own weight and carried loads
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses dynamically controllable friction-based rigidization to provide strength only when needed. During transport or maneuvering, the device remains lightweight and flexible. When supporting loads or tools, friction forces are increased to rigidize the structure, providing necessary strength without permanent added weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the rigidity parameter by controlling friction forces at segment interfaces. This allows the lightweight structure to achieve sufficient strength on-demand through parameter adjustment rather than through permanent structural reinforcement that would add weight.
4Weight of moving object
If conventional articulatable devices are designed to be lightweight and flexible, then the device achieves mobility, but the device cannot maintain stable shapes or support tools during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts friction coupling between segments to transition from flexible (for mobility) to rigid (for shape stability) states. This allows the lightweight device to maintain stable shapes when needed for tool support or operation, rather than being permanently rigid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rigidity parameter dynamically by controlling friction forces, enabling the lightweight device to achieve shape stability on-demand during operation rather than maintaining constant rigidity that would add weight.
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 device achieves a balance between rigidity and flexibility, enabling it to maintain any shape and support tools or instruments while being lightweight and maneuverable, suitable for complex applications like space exploration and surveillance.
Implementation Method 1
selected overlapping strips are rigidized by selectively controlling frictional forces between adjacent overlapping strips. By way of example, various electrostatic or pneumatic systems may be utilized to force overlapping strips together and increase the friction therebetween.
Implementation Method 2
selected overlapping strips are rigidized by selectively controlling frictional forces between adjacent overlapping strips. By way of example, various electrostatic or pneumatic systems may be utilized to force overlapping strips together and increase the friction therebetween.
Implementation Method 3
elevating the pressure within an inner lumen of the device such that a portion of the device diametrically opposite the rigidized portion expands while the rigidized portion is substantially prevented from expanding.
Data Source
AI summary
A selectively rigidizable and actively steerable device is described. In one aspect, an articulatable device is described that includes a flexible inner tube having a first lumen, a flexible outer tube that receives the inner tube, and a multiplicity of overlapping, rigidizable scale-like strips. Each scale-like strip is coupled with the inner tube and positioned between the inner and outer tubes. Of particular note, the overlapping strips are actuatable between a non-rigidized state in which overlapping strips are slideable relative to one another and a rigidized state in which overlapping strips are not slideable relative to one another.