Self-Erecting Structures Using Shape-Memory Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-erecting structures lack the ability to autonomously return to their original shape after being constrained by an external force without requiring additional reshaping forces, limiting their deployment and storage capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The use of shape-memory materials, such as alloys and polymers, to construct self-erecting structures by joining hub components with shape-memory members that deform under force and revert to their original shape when the constraint is removed, allowing the structure to self-erect and change shape based on temperature transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If shape-memory members are used to enable autonomous shape recovery, then the structure can self-erect without external forces, but the structure requires temperature transition to activate the shape recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes temperature as a controllable parameter to trigger shape recovery. By selecting shape-memory materials with specific transition temperatures (above or below ambient), the structure can be designed to respond to specific thermal conditions, enabling automated shape change without mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition properties of shape-memory materials (martensite-austenite transformation) to achieve shape recovery. When heated above the transition temperature, the material undergoes a phase change that enables it to return to its original shape, providing the automated recovery mechanism.
2Volume of moving object
If the structure is constrained to occupy a smaller shape for storage, then storage efficiency improves, but the structure cannot return to its deployed shape without external forcing
Solution Approach 1:
The shape-memory members serve themselves by automatically recovering their original shape when the constraining force is removed and temperature conditions are met. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external forces or mechanisms to deploy the structure, as the material inherently remembers and returns to its deployed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is pre-configured in its deployed shape during manufacturing, and the shape-memory members are pre-stressed to maintain this configuration. When constrained for storage and then released, the pre-stored elastic energy and shape memory effect enable automatic return to the original deployed shape without requiring external deployment actions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If shape-memory materials with transition temperature above ambient are used, then the structure remains stable at standard temperatures, but heating is required to activate shape recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent offers a design choice where the transition temperature parameter is selected above ambient temperature. This ensures the structure remains stable and maintains its constrained shape under normal conditions, while deliberate heating (energy input) can be applied to trigger shape recovery when needed, providing controlled and on-demand deployment.
4Strength
If shape-memory materials with transition temperature below ambient are used, then the structure is superelastic in typical operating conditions, but it cannot be easily constrained for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes shape-memory materials with transition temperatures below ambient operating conditions, enabling the structure to exhibit superelasticity during normal operation. For storage, the structure can be consciously constrained while cold (below transition temperature), and upon warming to ambient conditions, the superelastic properties are activated for automatic deployment, reversing the constraint process.
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 self-erecting structures to autonomously return to their original shape when unconstrained, facilitating easy deployment and storage by leveraging the superelastic properties of shape-memory materials, adaptable to various environmental conditions and applications.
Implementation Method 1
shape-memory materials exhibit the property of being able to return to an original, pre-deformed shape after undergoing some strain or deformation responsive to heating above a transition temperature
Implementation Method 2
Above the transition temperature, shape-memory materials exhibit the property of superelasticity, allowing them to return to their original shape after a force causing deformation is removed
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for making self-erecting structures are described herein. An exemplary self-erecting structure comprises a plurality of shape-memory members that connect two or more hub components. When forces are applied to the self-erecting structure, the shape-memory members can deform, and when the forces are removed the shape-memory members can return to their original pre-deformation shape, allowing the self-erecting structure to return to its own original shape under its own power. A shape of the self-erecting structure depends on a spatial orientation of the hub components, and a relative orientation of the shape-memory members, which in turn depends on an orientation of joining of the shape-memory members with the hub components.