Digital flexural materials

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A product comprising a set of discrete units, the set of discrete units being reversibly assembled, or reversibly assemblable, into a structure, wherein:
the units in the set are reversibly assembled, or are reversibly assemblable, into the structure according to a lattice geometry, wherein the units, when assembled according to the lattice geometry, together comprise a stretch-bend coupled material; a majority of the discrete units are each reversibly connected, or are reversibly connectable, to at least two other units in the set according to the lattice geometry; and wherein, in response to greater than minimal loading of the structure, a reversible deformation of at least part of the structure occurs.