Spherical Plate Lattice Structure for High Load-Bearing Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lattice materials with beam and strut designs do not adequately meet the requirements for high load-bearing capacity and resistance to deformation in applications needing enhanced mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
A cuboidal spherical plate lattice material is designed with a set of unit cells, each containing spherical plates arranged within a cubic topological constraint, where the plates intersect and are truncated to fit within the constraint, optimizing load-bearing capacity and resistance to deformation through topology optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If beam and strut designs are used for lattice materials, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the load-bearing capacity and resistance to deformation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional straight beam and strut elements with curved spherical plate structures. The spherical plates are arranged in a lattice pattern where their curved surfaces intersect and connect, forming a more complex but mechanically superior structure that better distributes and resists applied loads compared to linear beam elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite lattice structure by combining multiple spherical plates within each unit cell, where the plates intersect and connect to form a unified load-bearing system. This composite arrangement of curved surfaces working together provides enhanced mechanical properties beyond what single beam elements can achieve.
2Stability of the object's composition
If beam and strut designs are used for lattice materials, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the resistance to deformation is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical plate geometry with curved surfaces provides inherent resistance to deformation through their arch-like structural efficiency. The curved surfaces distribute stresses more effectively than straight beams, enhancing the lattice's overall stability and resistance to deformation under various loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional beam structures to two-dimensional spherical plate surfaces that intersect in three-dimensional space. This dimensional escalation allows the lattice to resist deformation more effectively by distributing loads across multiple planes and directions, creating a more stable structure.
3Strength
If spherical plates with diameter larger than cubic edge length are used, then the load-bearing capacity increases, but the spherical plates cannot fit within the cubic topological constraint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each spherical plate into multiple segments or sections that can be arranged and truncated to fit within the cubic unit cell constraints. By segmenting the spherical plates and strategically positioning them, the design achieves both large effective diameter for load-bearing and proper fitting within the cubic topological constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical plates are truncated locally at their boundaries to fit within the cubic constraint while maintaining their full load-bearing functionality in the central regions. This local modification allows the structure to achieve both geometric compatibility and mechanical performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A lattice material can include a set of unit cells. Each unit cell of the set of unit cells can have a cubic topological constraint, and each unit cell of the plurality of unit cells can include a set of spherical plates arranged in the unit cell. Each spherical plate of the set of spherical plates can intersect with another spherical plate of the set of spherical plates, and one or more spherical plates can be truncated to fit within the cubic topological constraint. Each spherical plate of the set of spherical plates can be formed according to a reference spherical plate having a diameter D and a thickness t.