Reprogrammable shape change sheet, uses of the sheet and method of producing a shaped surface
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F03G-007/06
B29C-033/38
B29C-033/30
B29C-045/26
출원번호
US-0888403
(2013-05-07)
등록번호
US-9339950
(2016-05-17)
우선권정보
FI-20135476 (2013-05-07)
발명자
/ 주소
Allen, Shane
출원인 / 주소
Allen, Shane
대리인 / 주소
Seppo Laine Oy
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
4
초록▼
The invention relates to a reprogrammable shape change sheet, a method of shaping a surface and a reprogrammable injection molding machine. The sheet comprises a plurality of muscle elements capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation, the elements being arranged in an array to define a surf
The invention relates to a reprogrammable shape change sheet, a method of shaping a surface and a reprogrammable injection molding machine. The sheet comprises a plurality of muscle elements capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation, the elements being arranged in an array to define a surface. According to the invention, the muscle elements comprise two muscle material layers capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation and a flexible wiring layer sandwiched between the muscle material layers, the wiring layer being electrically connected to said muscle material layers for delivering electric stimulation signals to the muscle material layers for changing the shape of the muscle elements and further the topology of the surface. The invention provides a new shape change sheet structure, which can be made thin, accurate and durable for various uses.
대표청구항▼
1. A reprogrammable shape change sheet comprising; a plurality of muscle elements capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation, the elements being arranged in an array to define a surface,wherein said muscle elements are mechanically interconnected to each other and each has two muscle materi
1. A reprogrammable shape change sheet comprising; a plurality of muscle elements capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation, the elements being arranged in an array to define a surface,wherein said muscle elements are mechanically interconnected to each other and each has two muscle material layers capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation and a flexible wiring layer sandwiched between the muscle material layers, the flexible wiring layer being electrically connected to said muscle material layers for delivering electric stimulation signals to the muscle material layers for changing the shape of the muscle elements and further the topology of the surface,electrical contact pads on both ends of the flexible wiring layer, anda plurality of elongated clips extending perpendicularly to a bending direction of the muscle elements, said elongated clips adapted to support the sandwich structure of the muscle elements by holding the muscle material layers and the wiring layer together. 2. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein the muscle material layers comprise shape memory material (SMM) layers. 3. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein the wiring layer is common to more than one muscle element and comprises electrical conductors capable of providing said electric stimulation signals individually for said plurality of muscle elements. 4. The shape change sheet according to claim 3, wherein the electrical conductors are arranged so as to allow demultiplexing of individual signals to said muscle elements to program. 5. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein the muscle elements are arranged as strips each comprising a plurality of muscle elements connected successively in a first direction, andthere are provided a plurality of strips arranged successively in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction. 6. The shape change sheet according to claim 5, wherein the muscle elements of different strips are mechanically uncoupled by any rigid connecting means so as to allow deformation of the strips independently of each other. 7. The shape change sheet according to claim 5, wherein the strips are connected at both ends thereof to a rigid supporting structure by flexible connectors. 8. The shape change sheet according to claim 5, wherein the strips are sufficiently narrow and spaced apart such that the sheet is at least partially transparent. 9. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein the muscle material layers are electrically connected to electric conductors on the wiring layer using flexible connecting means. 10. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein there are provided a plurality of skeleton elements adapted to support the sandwich structure of the muscle elements by holding the muscle material layers and the wiring layer together. 11. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein there are provided means for preventing heat flux to the muscle material layers and/or for actively cooling the muscle elements. 12. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein there are provided two layers of muscle elements arranged on top of each other and in different directions. 13. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a unitary flexible material layer covering the individual muscle elements on at least one side of the muscle elements for smoothening the surface of the shape change sheet. 14. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical control unit or an electrical connector for a control unit for providing the electric signals to the muscle elements for shaping the shape change sheet to the desired form. 15. The shape change sheet according to claim 1, wherein the muscle elements have a rectangular in-plane footprint. 16. A programmable injection molding machine, comprising; a mold cavity,means for injecting moldable material to the mold cavity for forming an object whose shape corresponds to internal shape of the mold cavity,wherein at least part of the mold cavity is defined by a reprogrammable shape change sheet having a plurality of muscle elements mechanically interconnected to each other and each having a flexible wiring layer sandwiched between two muscle material layers capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation and being arranged to define a surface, andwherein the flexible wiring layer has electrical conductors electrically connected to said muscle material layers for delivering stimulation electric signals individually to the muscle elements for changing the shape of the surface,electrical contact pads on both ends of the flexible wiring layer, anda plurality of elongated clips extending perpendicularly to a bending direction of the muscle elements, said elongated clips adapted to support the sandwich structure of the muscle elements by holding the muscle material layers and the wiring layer together. 17. The programmable injection molding machine according to claim 16, further comprising means for storing a 3D model of at least part of the object in computer readable form and means delivering electric stimulation signals to the reprogrammable shape change sheet in order to shape the sheet to correspond said 3D model.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
Maynard Ronald S., Distributed activator for a two-dimensional shape memory alloy.
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