This technology is an integrated joint mechanism that is 3D printed as a single piece with multiple bodies spaced apart, which are then deformed by an external force to come into contact, maintaining that contact through the interaction of a connecting part and a guide part to perform rolling motion.
When 3D printing joint parts that are in contact with each other as a single piece, they tend to fuse together, making movement impossible. Conversely, printing them separately requires a separate assembly process, which introduces assembly gaps and makes precise control difficult.
This technology proposes a method where multiple bodies are printed as a single piece in a first state, spaced apart with rolling surfaces, and then transitioned to a second state where the bodies come into contact as the connecting part is tensioned by an external force, following an arc-shaped guide. This enables the realization of joints capable of precise rolling motion without the need for an assembly process. It can be applied across 3D printing-based manufacturing, including medical devices, small robots, and customized mechanical parts, significantly reducing production time and costs by eliminating assembly steps.
WOWO2020-017867A1
