Constant force compression lattice
AssigneeCarbon, Inc.
InventorSean Friedrich Walter McCluskey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A first aspect of the present invention is a constant force compression construct, comprising: (a) a plurality of compressible layers, each compressible layer comprising a plurality of interconnected flexible struts configured as a regular hexagonal lattice of repeating unit cells, with the layers spaced apart from one another, and with the unit cells of each layer aligned with one another; and (b) a plurality of beams interconnecting each of the compressible layers with each respective adjacent compressible layer to form a three-dimensional lattice having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a compressible region therebetween, with the repeating unit cells contained in the compressible region.
Claims17
A constant force compression construct, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of compressible layers, each compressible layer comprising a plurality of interconnected flexible struts configured as a regular hexagonal lattice of repeating unit cells, with said layers spaced apart from one another, and with said unit cells of each layer aligned with one another;
- (b) a plurality of beams interconnecting each of said compressible layers with each respective adjacent compressible layer to form a three-dimensional lattice having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a compressible region therebetween, with said repeating unit cells contained in said compressible region;
- (c) optionally, a first force-dispersing segment connected to said upper portion;
- and
- (d) optionally, a second force-dispersing segment connected to said lower portion.
A controllable response device, comprising:
- (a) a fluid impermeable outer shell defining an inner cavity;
- (b) at least one construct contained in said cavity;
- and
- (c) a fluid valve in said outer shell configured to fill said cavity with fluid and/or drain fluid from said cavity, wherein said at least one construct comprises:
- a plurality of compressible layers, each compressible layer comprising a plurality of interconnected flexible struts configured as a regular hexagonal lattice of repeating unit cells, with said layers spaced apart from one another, and with said unit cells of each layer aligned with one another;
- a plurality of beams interconnecting each of said compressible layers with each respective adjacent compressible layer to form a three-dimensional lattice having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a compressible region therebetween, with said repeating unit cells contained in said compressible region;
- optionally, a first force-dispersing segment connected to said upper portion;
- and
- optionally, a second force-dispersing segment connected to said lower portion.
A method of making at least one construct, comprising:
- (a) forming an intermediate object by additive manufacturing with a dual cure polymerizable liquid, said intermediate object having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, said construct;
- then
- (b) optionally washing said intermediate object;
- and then
- (c) further curing said intermediate object, optionally by heating, to produce said construct, wherein said at least one construct comprises:
- a plurality of compressible layers, each compressible layer comprising a plurality of interconnected flexible struts configured as a regular hexagonal lattice of repeating unit cells, with said layers spaced apart from one another, and with said unit cells of each layer aligned with one another;
- a plurality of beams interconnecting each of said compressible layers with each respective adjacent compressible layer to form a three-dimensional lattice having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a compressible region therebetween, with said repeating unit cells contained in said compressible region;
- optionally, a first force-dispersing segment connected to said upper portion;
- and
- optionally, a second force-dispersing segment connected to said lower portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.