Variable Stiffness Device Using Hollow Shape-Memory Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable stiffness devices for flexible members, such as endoscopes, lack efficient mechanisms to rapidly and precisely control stiffness levels, leading to limited flexibility and responsiveness in medical and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A variable stiffness device comprising at least two hollow shape-memory members connected to form a lumen-like unit, with a heating member to transition the shape-memory members between low and high stiffness phases, and a cooling system to facilitate rapid phase changes, allowing for controlled stiffness adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a shape-memory member is used to provide variable stiffness, then the flexible member can transition between soft and hard states, but the phase transition speed and responsiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shape-memory member is divided into multiple hollow segments connected in series, allowing cooling fluid to flow through each segment simultaneously. This segmentation enables parallel heat dissipation pathways, significantly accelerating the phase transition speed from hard state back to soft state while maintaining reliable stiffness control responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid circulation system is introduced to actively remove heat from the shape-memory member. The hollow structure allows fluid to flow directly through the member, providing rapid and uniform cooling. This hydraulic approach enables precise control over the phase transition timing and speed, resolving the contradiction between transition speed and control responsiveness.
2Productivity
If the shape-memory member has a hollow structure for fluid flow, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow structure of the shape-memory member serves multiple functions: it provides the necessary cooling fluid flow path for rapid heat dissipation, maintains the structural integrity of the member, and enables the phase transition control mechanism. This multi-functionality approach improves cooling efficiency without proportionally increasing structural complexity, as the same structural feature accomplishes multiple goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow channels are integrated within the walls of the shape-memory member itself, nesting the cooling fluid pathway inside the structural element. This eliminates the need for separate external cooling channels or additional components, thereby improving cooling efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple hollow shape-memory members are connected to form a lumen-like unit, then cooling uniformity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hollow shape-memory members are connected in series to form a unified lumen-like structure with continuous internal fluid flow pathways. This merging approach ensures uniform cooling distribution across all segments of the shape-memory unit, as the fluid flows sequentially through each hollow member. The connected structure maintains compositional stability and uniform thermal characteristics while using standard connection techniques that do not excessively increase manufacturing complexity.
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 precise control of stiffness levels in flexible members, enhancing their flexibility and responsiveness, facilitating easier navigation and operation in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member configured to heat the shape-memory members
Implementation Method 2
a cooling system configured to cool the shape-memory members
Implementation Method 3
each of the shape-memory members is transitionable in phase between a first phase in which the shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state and a second phase in which the shape-memory member is in a high stiffness state
Data Source
AI summary
A variable stiffness device includes a shape-memory unit formed of at least two hollow shape-memory members connected together. Each of the shape-memory members is transitionable in phase between a first phase in which the shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state and a second phase in which the shape-memory member is in a high stiffness state. The shape-memory member in the high stiffness state has a higher level of stiffness than in the low stiffness state. Hollow portions of the shape-memory members are connected together so that the shape-memory unit has a lumen-like inner space configured to allow fluid for cooling the shape-memory members to flow. The variable stiffness device also includes a heating member configured to heat the shape-memory members.