Vacuum Granular Joint Restraint for Passive Animated Figure Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animated figures in amusement parks and entertainment venues struggle to maintain desired joint positions without continuous actuator power, leading to unwanted movement and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A joint restraint device is introduced, comprising a membrane enclosing a volume with granules that compact under vacuum pressure, forming a rigid body to lock the joint in place when the actuator is not active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous actuator power is applied to maintain joint positions, then joint position stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint restraint device dynamically changes the state of granular material from loose to compacted based on actuator operation. When the actuator is inactive, vacuum pressure compacts the granules to restrain the joint; when the actuator is active, atmospheric pressure loosens the granules to allow movement. This dynamic state change enables passive energy-saving joint restraint without continuous power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the density and rigidity parameters of the granular material through pressure variations. Under vacuum, the granules become densely packed and rigid to restrain the joint; under atmospheric pressure, they become loose and compliant to allow actuator operation. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between maintaining joint stability and reducing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If actuator power is interrupted to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but joint position stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joint restraint device is self-activating through atmospheric pressure when the actuator stops operating. The pressure differential automatically compacts the granules to restrain the joint without requiring additional energy input or control systems. This self-service mechanism ensures joint stability during energy-saving idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The device prepares the granular material in advance to provide automatic restraint when the actuator stops. The loose granules are pre-positioned within the chamber, ready to be compacted by atmospheric pressure the moment actuator power is interrupted, preventing unwanted joint movement before it can occur.
3Reliability
If a rigid restraint mechanism is used to lock the joint, then joint position stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses pneumatic pressure differentials (vacuum and atmospheric pressure) to control the state of granular material for joint restraint. This pneumatic mechanism replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simpler pressure-based control system that achieves rigid restraint through compacted granules while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane chamber contains the granular material and transmits pressure changes uniformly throughout the chamber. The membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to pressure variations while maintaining the integrity of the granular restraint mechanism, simplifying the overall device structure compared to rigid mechanical alternatives.
4Device complexity
If granular material is used to restrain the joint, then device complexity is reduced, but restraint rigidity worsens when loose
Solution Approach 1:
The granular material dynamically transitions between loose and compacted states based on pressure conditions. During actuator operation, atmospheric pressure keeps the granules loose to allow movement; during idle periods, vacuum pressure compacts them to provide rigid restraint. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between simplicity and restraint effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The density and rigidity parameters of the granular material are changed through pressure control. Vacuum pressure increases granule density and inter-particle friction to create a rigid restraint structure, while atmospheric pressure maintains low density for flexibility. This parameter transformation enables the same material to provide both simplicity and effective restraint as needed.
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 joint restraint device effectively maintains joint positions without continuous actuator power, reducing falls and energy consumption while extending component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The granules are configured to compact against each other to form a relatively rigid body in response to a vacuum pressure applied to the internal volume
Data Source
AI summary
An animated figure includes an appendage having a joint. The animated figure also includes a joint restraint device coupled to the appendage. The joint restraint device includes a membrane defining an internal volume and granules disposed within the internal volume. Additionally, the joint restraint device is configured to compact the granules against each other to restrain motion of the joint in response to a vacuum pressure applied to the membrane.