Digital flexural materials
US9566758B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24008
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Digital flexural materials are kits of discrete parts that can be assembled into a lattice structure to produce functionally useful assemblies. Digital flexural materials enable design of materials with many small and inexpensive flexures that combine in a lattice geometry that permits deformation without compromising the strength of the assembly. The number of types of parts in a kit is small compared to the total number of parts. A product constructed from digital flexural materials comprises a set of discrete units that are assembled into the structure according to a lattice geometry, with a majority of the units being reversibly connected to at least two other units in the set according to the lattice geometry, and wherein, in response to loading of the structure, a reversible deformation of at least part of the structure occurs. An automated process may be employed for constructing a product from digital flexural materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.