RECONFIGURABLE DEPLOYABLE FRAME STRUCTURE WITH ALTMANN LINKAGE

Abstract

Disclosed is a reconfigurable deployable frame system based on the Altmann mechanism. The system is capable of transitioning from a closed cylindrical form to a vault shape, then to a planar form, and finally to a collapsible form. This is achieved by combining links, L-shaped connecting elements, and revolute joints.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a mechanism that addresses the housing needs related to architecture, military, and civil society organizations, which can be used as emergency structures after disasters, exhibition stands, industrial tents, or roof shells.

This invention pertains to a cage system based on the Altmann mechanism, capable of transitioning from a closed cylindrical shape to a vault, then to a planar shape, and finally to a collapsible form.

KNOWN PRIOR ART

The Altmann mechanism consists of structures formed by combining links with revolute joints. This mechanism has been utilized in the present invention's specification to obtain reconfigurable deployable frame structure system.

In the literature research conducted, patent document number 2016/19595 describes a foldable frame structure. The patent with number 2016/19595 has a double-layer network pattern, while the invention described in the specification forms a single-layer network structure. The combination details of the networks and the way basic modules come together are also significantly different. Patent 2016/19595 can remain in a single form (vault). However, the new invention is a shape-changing frame system, allowing for multiple configurations. In patent document 2016/19595, flat, spherical, and cylindrical geometries are used to achieve the mechanism, whereas they are not required in the current invention.

In the literature research, patent document number 2014/10892 describes a reconfigurable deployable structure system. It consists of planar bar mechanisms called four-bar linkage. However, in the invention described in the specification, the Altmann mechanism is used. In the present invention, scissor systems used to assemble spatial Altmann basic modules result in a new network with improved static and movement angles. Furthermore, the invention described in the specification can be modularly derived to cover areas of desired dimensions.

In the literature research, patent document number U.S. Pat. No. 10,871,007B1 describes a foldable frame structure. The mentioned frame structure cannot take on a vaulted form and does not utilize the Altmann mechanism.

In the literature research, patent document number CN108916512A presents a structure for tent canopies. Although the structure combines links with revolute joints, it does not demonstrate a vaulted structure incorporating the Altmann mechanism.

As a result, there is a need for a new reconfigurable deployable frame system that surpasses the known prior art, overcomes its disadvantages, and addresses the shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a reconfigurable deployable frame system that surpasses the known prior art, addresses its disadvantages, and additionally includes extra advantages.

The purpose of the invention is to present a reconfigurable deployable frame system obtained by derived Altmann mechanism modules in the X and Y directions.

The frame system subject to the invention allows for easy portability and modular derivation, enabling design flexibility to achieve different configurations from a fully closed cylindrical form (FIG. 7B) to various other forms (FIG. 7A, vaulted form, FIG. 8A parallel form) and adapting to desired dimensions. Additionally, due to its overconstrained mechanism, it exhibits greater resistance against static loads. The reason for having an overconstrained mechanism is the utilization of the Altmann mechanism, which consists of six revolute joints and is an overconstrained, single-loop bar mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in order to provide a clearer understanding of the features of the invention. However, the purpose is not to limit the invention to these specific arrangements. On the contrary, it is intended to encompass all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that can be included within the scope defined by the claims of the invention. The shown details are presented solely for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and to provide the most useful and easily understandable definition of the methods' shaping as well as the rules and conceptual features of the invention. In these drawings;”

FIG. 1 Top, front, and rear views of the link used in the invention.

FIG. 2A Side view of the L-shaped connecting element used in the invention.

FIG. 2B Front view of the L-shaped connecting element used in the invention.

FIG. 3 View of the main module, the scissor mechanism used in the invention.

FIG. 4 View of the multiple scissor mechanism obtained by derivating the scissor mechanism in the X direction.

FIG. 5 View of the structure obtained by derivating the multiple scissor mechanism once in the Y direction.

FIG. 6 View of the structure obtained by derivating the multiple scissor mechanism multiple times in the Y direction (three multiple scissor mechanisms are shown in the figure).

FIG. 7A View demonstrating the changing configurations of the structure to a vaulted form, as subject to the invention.

FIG. 7B View demonstrating the changing configurations of the structure to a fully closed cylindrical form, as subject to the invention.

FIG. 8A View demonstrating the changing configurations of the structure to a planar form parallel to the ground, as subject to the invention.

FIG. 8B View demonstrating the changing configurations of the structure to a folded form, as subject to the invention.

The figures attached to this invention are numbered and labeled as indicated in the accompanying image, along with their respective names provided below, to aid in understanding this invention.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

• • 10. Link
  • 11. L-shaped connecting element
  • 12. End joint holes
  • 13. Intermediate joint holes
  • 14. Connection element holes
  • 20. Revolute Joints
  • 30. Scissor Structure
  • 31. Large Altmann module
  • 40. Small Altmann module
  • 50. Multiple Scissor Mechanism
  • 51. Scissor Mechanism
    • T. Vaulted form
    • D. Planar Shape
    • X, Y. Directions

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject of the invention, the reconfigurable deployable frame system, is explained with non-limiting examples solely for the purpose of better understanding the subject. The specification describes a cage system based on the Altmann mechanism, capable of transitioning from a closed cylindrical shape to a vaulted form (V), then to a planar shape (P), and finally to a folded configuration. These examples are provided to enhance comprehension without imposing any restrictive effect.

The frame system subject to the invention utilizes square-sectioned links (10). The links (10) used in the invention are shown in FIG. 1. To enable the connection of the links (10) through revolute joints (15) with an L-shaped connecting element (11), there is a terminal joint hole (12) at each end of the links (10). In the body between the ends of the links (10), which form the scissor mechanism (60) with the links (10), intermediate joint holes (13) are provided to allow derivation in the Y direction through revolute joints (15).

The derivation of the structure obtained with the links (10) in the X direction is achieved using an L-shaped connecting element (11) and revolute joints (15). The L-shaped connecting element (11) is shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. The L-shaped connecting element (11) has connection element holes (14) on its two edges, allowing for the attachment of revolute joints (15) and the flexible connection of the links (10) and L-shaped connecting elements (11).

FIG. 3 illustrates the main module of the invention, which is the scissor mechanism (60). The mentioned scissor mechanism (60) is obtained by connecting the links (10) of two scissor structures (20) at their close ends with two L-shaped connecting elements (11) through revolute joints (15) with a 90° angle between their axes. One scissor structure (20) is formed by connecting two links (10) through intermediate joint holes (13) located at their center points using revolute joints (15). Consequently, the main module of the invention, the scissor mechanism (60), is achieved by combining four links (10), two L-shaped connecting elements (11), and six revolute joints (15). The reconfigurable deployable frame system described in the specification is obtained by derivating this scissor mechanism (60) in the X and Y directions.

FIG. 4 illustrates the multiple scissor mechanism (50) obtained by combining two scissor mechanisms (60) in the X direction through L-shaped connecting elements (11) and revolute joints (15). The multiple scissor mechanism (50) is formed by combining and derivating two scissor mechanisms (60) in the X direction, resulting in three large Altmann modules (30). The reason for this is that during the combination of two scissor mechanisms (60), adjacent links (10) are shared between them. Although the multiple scissor mechanism (50) shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by joining two scissor mechanisms (60) in the X direction, it can also be achieved by adding more than two scissor mechanisms (60) side by side, depending on the size of the area where the frame system will be used.

FIG. 5 shows the structure obtained by derivating the multiple scissor mechanism (50) in the Y direction. In this structure, two multiple scissor mechanisms (50) are placed vertically and derivated. The number of derivations can be increased. As shown in FIG. 6, three multiple scissor mechanisms (50) are added vertically. The replication of multiple scissor mechanisms (50) in the Y direction is achieved by connecting their links (10) through intermediate joint holes (13) with revolute joints (15).

The structure obtained by derivating two multiple scissor mechanisms (50) in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 5, consists of six large Altmann modules (30) and three small Altmann modules (40). In the invention, the multiple scissor mechanism (50) includes only the large Altmann modules (30), but when derivated in the Y direction with the design that utilizes shared adjacent links, it results in small Altmann modules (40). The structure obtained by derivating three multiple scissor mechanisms (50) in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 6, comprises nine large Altmann modules (30) and six small Altmann modules (40). In the invention, the terms “small Altmann module” (40) and “large Altmann module” (30) encompass all structures that consist of four links (10), six revolute joints (15), and two L-shaped connecting elements (11), differentiated only by their size.

In the invention, when the scissor mechanism (60) is derivated in the X direction, it forms large Altmann modules (30), and when derivated in the Y direction, it forms small Altmann modules (40). The small Altmann modules (40) limit the movement in conjunction with the large Altmann modules (30), providing a static appearance. As a result, the reconfigurable deployable frame system described in the invention can transition from a closed cylindrical form (FIG. 7B) to a vaulted form (V) as shown in FIG. 7A, and it can maintain stability in these forms, including the planar form (P) transition from the vaulted form (V).

Claims

1. The invention is a reconfigurable deployable frame system based on an Altmann mechanism, capable of transitioning from a closed cylindrical form to a vaulted form, then to a planar form, and finally to a collapsible form, achieved by combining links, L-shaped connecting elements, and revolute joints. The system comprising: inclusion of a scissor structure obtained by associating two links through an intermediate joint hole at the center points with a revolute joint;inclusion of a scissor mechanism obtained by connecting two scissor structures to each other by means of two L-shaped connecting elements and two revolute joints at adjacent ends of two links with a 90-degree angle between their axes in the X direction;inclusion of a multiple scissor mechanism obtained by derivating at least two of the mentioned scissor mechanisms in the X direction, resulting in the attachment of at least two sets of adjacent links through intermediate joint holes with revolute joints; andinclusion of a frame system obtained by derivating at least two of the multiple scissor mechanisms in the Y direction, connecting their adjacent links through intermediate joint holes with revolute joints.

2. A frame system according to claim 1, wherein the revolute joints are used to connect the links to each other in a rotatable manner.

3. A frame system according to claim 1, further comprising terminal joint holes located at the ends of the links and facilitating the attachment of the revolute joints to the L-shaped connecting elements.

4. A frame system according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate joint holes are located on the body of the links between their ends, facilitating the attachment of the revolute joints during the assembly of the multiple scissor mechanisms formed by the links and derivated in the Y direction.

5. A frame system according to claim 1, wherein the L-shaped connecting elements attach the adjacent ends of the links with the revolute joints during the end-to-end assembly of the scissor structure and the scissor mechanism formed by the links in the X direction.

6. A frame system according to claim 1, further comprising connection element holes, one on each edge of the L-shaped connecting element, facilitating the attachment of the revolute joints to the link and the terminal joint holes.

7. A frame system according to claim 1, further comprising large Altmann modules formed by the shared utilization of adjacent links when the scissor mechanisms are assembled end-to-end in the X direction.

8. A frame system according to claim 1, further comprising small Altmann modules formed by the shared utilization of adjacent links when the multiple scissor mechanisms are assembled in the Y direction.

9. A method for obtaining a reconfigurable deployable frame system based on an Altmann mechanism that transitions from a closed cylindrical form to a vault, then to a planar form, and finally to a collapsible form, comprising: attaching a revolute joint to intermediate joint holes at the center points of two links to form a scissor structure;assembling two of the scissor structures by attaching them end-to-end using terminal joint holes at the adjacent ends of the links, with two revolute joints and L-shaped connecting elements at an angle of 90° between their axes, resulting in a scissor mechanism in the X direction;forming multiple scissor mechanisms by assembling end-to-end at least two of the scissor mechanisms using terminal joint holes, two revolute joints, and L-shaped connecting elements at an angle of 90° between their axes, also in the X direction; andobtaining the final frame system by assembling the multiple scissor mechanisms in the Y direction using intermediate joint holes in adjacent links, joined by revolute joints.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein two scissor mechanisms are attached end-to-end in the X direction.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein more than two scissor mechanisms attached end-to-end in the X direction.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein three stacked multiple scissor mechanisms are attached one below the other in the Y direction.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein more than two stacked multiple scissor mechanisms are attached one below the other in the Y direction.