Variable Stiffness Material Actuation for Reconfigurable Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current materials and systems lack the ability to efficiently alter stiffness and achieve structural deformation, limiting their application in next-generation technologies such as aerospace and defense systems, where reconfigurable and adaptable structures are needed.
Innovation Solution
The use of variable stiffness material (VSM) structures with embedded or externally attached actuation elements allows for controlled deformation by altering the stiffness of subregions, enabling reversible changes in shape and stiffness distribution, which is not possible with conventional constant stiffness materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional constant stiffness materials are used, then structural strength is maintained, but the ability to achieve large deformations with reduced energy input is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the material stiffness variable rather than constant. The variable stiffness material allows the structure to dynamically adjust its rigidity, being stiff when strength is needed and compliant when deformation is required, thereby reducing energy input for shape changes while maintaining structural strength when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of stiffness from a constant value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted on demand. This allows the material to transition between different stiffness states, enabling large deformations with reduced energy input when in a compliant state, while maintaining high strength when in a stiff state
2Ease of operation
If variable stiffness material layers are introduced to enable deformation, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining constant stiffness material layers with variable stiffness material layers in a laminated structure. This composite approach enables deformation capabilities through the variable stiffness layers while the constant stiffness layers provide structural support, balancing ease of operation with controlled device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the material structure into alternating layers of constant stiffness and variable stiffness materials. This segmentation allows different regions of the structure to perform different functions - some layers provide structural rigidity while others enable controlled deformation, improving ease of operation without requiring the entire structure to be complex
3Productivity
If stiffness is reduced to allow large deformation, then productivity improves, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the material stiffness variable rather than constant. The variable stiffness material allows the structure to dynamically adjust its rigidity, being stiff when strength is needed and compliant when deformation is required, thereby reducing energy input for shape changes while maintaining structural strength when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the material structure into alternating layers of constant stiffness and variable stiffness materials. This segmentation allows different regions of the structure to perform different functions - some layers provide structural rigidity while others enable controlled deformation, improving ease of operation without requiring the entire structure to be complex
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
This approach enables the construction of components that can deform during service, enhancing functionality and performance by allowing shape changes and reconfigurable tooling, achieving larger deformations with reduced energy input and increased strength.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of variable modulus material layers includes a material having a changeable elastic modulus in response to a trigger so as to allow reversible coupling and decoupling of stress transfer between successive layers of the plurality of constant stiffness material layers
Implementation Method 2
The one or more actuation elements are controlled to deform the VSM structure by providing actuation upon transformation of the structure from a first state of stiffness to a second state of stiffness
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods for actuating variable stiffness material (VSM) structures and achieving deformation of the structures. The apparatus and the associated methods use internal embedded actuation elements and/or externally attached elements to the VSM structures to achieve the desired deformation. In particular, the actuation can be changed due to the variable stiffness nature of the materials. That is, the invention provides the ability to control the deformation of structures using local stiffness control over subregions of the component in addition to or in substitution for actuation. Furthermore, the invention exploits the variable stiffness properties of the VSM structures to enable new functionalities impossible to realize with conventional constant stiffness materials.