Foldable and unfoldable box structure capable of being folded to be flat and self-locked

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of foldable and unfoldable structures, and particularly relates to a foldable and unfoldable box structure capable of being folded flat and self-locked, and controllable movement under a single degree of freedom is realized by reasonably arranging folding marks with specific trend and symmetrical relation on the front and side surfaces. In the unfolded state, the structure can form a stable three-dimensional box shape and has good bearing and supporting performance; in the folding process, all the sheet bodies can move in order along the folding marks, and finally a completely-flattened tight folding state is achieved, so that a large folding and unfolding proportion is obtained, and storage is facilitated; meanwhile, after the structure is unfolded in place, self-locking can be achieved by folding the first sheet body and the second sheet body, and the rigidity and stability in the working state are enhanced. The three-dimensional body-shaped foldable structure effectively overcomes the defects of an existing three-dimensional body-shaped foldable structure in the aspects of the folding ratio, the complete folding capacity and the unfolded state supporting performance, and the application potential of the rigid foldable structure in occasions needing high storage ratio and high-rigidity supporting is expanded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of foldable structure technology, and particularly relates to a foldable box structure that can be folded flat and self-locking. Background Technology

[0002] Deployable structures are geometrically controllable and variable structures that can transform from a tightly folded state to a target deployed state. In their folded steady state, these structures offer advantages such as small size, ease of storage and transportation, or, in specific configurations, high rigidity and self-locking properties for support. In their deployed state, they meet normal operational requirements. Due to their excellent folding and deploying performance, deployable structures have been widely used in aerospace, biomedical, and civil engineering fields. For example, satellite antennas fold to adapt to the space constraints of rocket payload bays, solar cell arrays utilize deployment mechanisms to achieve large-area energy harvesting, and vascular stents employ miniaturized designs for minimally invasive interventional treatments.

[0003] Existing foldable structures can be categorized into one-dimensional rod-like, two-dimensional planar, and three-dimensional volumetric types based on their unfolded geometric shape. Three-dimensional volumetric foldable structures often rely on non-rigid deformation for unfolding, such as automotive airbags and flexible space capsules. Although some research has focused on achieving rigid unfolding of three-dimensional volumetric structures, such as proposing several foldable box structures based on face-symmetric motion or symmetrical arrangement of revolute joints, existing technologies still have significant shortcomings. They generally suffer from limited unfolding ratios and the inability to achieve completely tight folding, thus limiting their potential applications in more engineering fields. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a foldable and self-locking box structure to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] A foldable and self-locking box structure includes: two oppositely arranged top surfaces, two oppositely arranged front surfaces, and two oppositely arranged side surfaces, wherein adjacent edges of the top surfaces, the front surfaces, and the side surfaces are connected to each other.

[0007] A first crease is provided on the front, the first crease is horizontal, and the first crease divides the front into a first piece and a second piece;

[0008] A second crease is provided on the side, the second crease is vertical and its end corresponds to the first crease. The second crease divides the side into a fourth piece and a seventh piece. Both ends of the fourth piece are provided with a third crease and a fourth crease. The two third creases and the two fourth creases do not intersect. The two third creases and the two fourth creases are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the fourth piece. The third crease and the fourth crease both extend from one corner of the fourth piece to the second crease. The third crease and the fourth crease divide the fourth piece into a sixth piece and a fifth piece, respectively. The fifth piece is located at the edge of the fourth piece.

[0009] The seventh piece has a fifth crease and a sixth crease at both ends. The two fifth creases and the two sixth creases do not intersect. The two fifth creases and the two sixth creases are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the seventh piece. The fifth crease and the sixth crease extend from one corner of the seventh piece to the second crease. One end of the fifth crease intersects with one end of the third crease at the second crease. One end of the sixth crease intersects with one end of the fourth crease at the second crease. The fifth crease and the sixth crease divide the seventh piece into a third piece and a second piece, respectively. The second piece is located at the outer edge of the seventh piece.

[0010] In the foldable and self-locking foldable box structure of the present invention, the length of the first piece is a, the length of the fourth piece is c, the length of the seventh piece is b, and the length of the top surface is d. Then: d-2c+2b=a.

[0011] In the foldable and self-locking foldable box structure of the present invention, the third crease divides one corner of the fourth piece into an included angle β and an included angle γ. γ is the included angle between the third crease and the side of the adjacent fourth piece, and β is the included angle between the third crease and the bottom edge of the adjacent fourth piece. One of the angles of the first piece that is less than or equal to 90° is α, and the angle of the top surface is δ. Then δ+β=α+γ.

[0012] The foldable and self-locking foldable box structure of the present invention includes a first state, a second state, and a third state.

[0013] In the foldable and self-locking foldable box structure of the present invention, in the first state, the top surface, the front surface, and the side surface are all flattened, and the foldable box structure is unfolded.

[0014] In the foldable and self-locking foldable box structure of the present invention, in the second state, the first piece and the second piece are folded inward along the first crease and respectively attached to the two top surfaces; the fourth piece and the seventh piece are folded outward along the second crease and attached to each other; and the second piece, the third piece, the fifth piece, and the sixth piece are folded inward into the foldable box structure and respectively attached to the seventh piece and the fourth piece.

[0015] In the foldable and self-locking foldable box structure of the present invention, in the third state, the first piece and the second piece are folded into the foldable box structure along the first crease, and the second piece and the fifth piece are folded into the foldable box structure along the fifth crease and the fourth crease, respectively, and the second piece and the fifth piece are respectively attached to the second piece and the first piece.

[0016] In the foldable and self-locking foldable box structure of the present invention, both top surfaces are set as rectangles, and the two top surfaces are congruent or similar.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and technical effects:

[0018] In this invention, controllable movement under a single degree of freedom is achieved by rationally arranging creases with specific orientations and symmetrical relationships on the front and sides. In the unfolded state, the structure forms a stable three-dimensional box shape with excellent load-bearing and support performance. During folding, each piece can move orderly along the creases, ultimately achieving a completely flattened, tightly folded state, thus obtaining a large folding-out ratio for easy storage. Simultaneously, after the structure is fully unfolded, it can achieve self-locking by folding the first and second pieces, enhancing its rigidity and stability in the working state. This invention effectively overcomes the shortcomings of existing three-dimensional foldable structures in terms of folding ratio, complete folding capability, and unfolded support performance, expanding the application potential of rigid foldable structures in situations requiring high storage ratios and high rigidity support. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is the front view of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the unfolded state of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is the front view of the third state in this invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a front view of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0024] Among them, 1. Top surface; 2. Front; 3. Side; 201. First crease; 202. First piece; 203. Second piece; 301. Second crease; 302. Third crease; 303. Fourth crease; 304. Second piece; 305. Third piece; 306. Fourth piece; 307. Fifth crease; 308. Sixth crease; 309. Fifth piece; 310. Sixth piece; 311. Seventh piece. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 3 This embodiment discloses a foldable and self-locking box structure, including: two oppositely arranged top surfaces 1, two oppositely arranged front surfaces 2, and two oppositely arranged side surfaces 3, with adjacent sides of the top surfaces 1, front surfaces 2, and side surfaces 3 connected to each other.

[0029] Among them, the two top surfaces are set equally, and the overall structure of the foldable box is a regular hexahedron.

[0030] A first crease 201 is provided on the front 2. The first crease 201 is set horizontally and divides the front into a first piece 202 and a second piece 203.

[0031] A second crease 301 is provided on the side 3. The second crease 301 is vertical and its end corresponds to the first crease 201. The second crease 301 divides the side 3 into a fourth piece 306 and a seventh piece 311. Both ends of the fourth piece 306 are provided with a third crease 302 and a fourth crease 303. The two third creases 302 and the two fourth creases 303 do not intersect. The two third creases 302 and the two fourth creases 303 are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the fourth piece 306. The third crease 302 and the fourth crease 303 both extend from one corner of the fourth piece 306 to the second crease 301. The third crease 302 and the fourth crease 303 divide the fourth piece 306 into a sixth piece 310 and a fifth piece 309, respectively. The fifth piece 309 is located at the edge of the fourth piece 306.

[0032] The seventh piece 311 has a fifth crease 307 and a sixth crease 308 at both ends. The two fifth creases 307 and the two sixth creases 308 do not intersect. The two fifth creases 307 and the two sixth creases 308 are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the seventh piece 311. The fifth crease 307 and the sixth crease 308 extend from one corner of the seventh piece 311 to the second crease 301. One end of the fifth crease 307 intersects with one end of the third crease 302 at the second crease 301. One end of the sixth crease 308 intersects with one end of the fourth crease 303 at the second crease 301. The fifth crease 307 and the sixth crease 308 divide the seventh piece 311 into a third piece 305 and a second piece 304, respectively. The second piece 304 is located on the outer edge of the seventh piece 311.

[0033] In one alternative scheme, the length of the first piece 202 is a, the length of the fourth piece 306 is c, the length of the seventh piece 311 is b, and the length of the top surface 1 is d. Then: d-2c+2b=a.

[0034] In one alternative scheme, the third crease 302 divides one corner of the fourth piece 306 into an included angle β and an included angle γ, where γ is the included angle between the third crease 302 and the side of the adjacent fourth piece 306, and β is the included angle between the third crease 302 and the bottom edge of the adjacent fourth piece 306. One of the angles of the first piece 202 that is less than or equal to 90° is α, and the angle of the top surface 1 is δ. Then δ + β = α + γ.

[0035] One possible scheme includes a first state, a second state, and a third state.

[0036] In one alternative, in the first state, the top surface 1, the front surface 2, and the side surface 3 are all flattened, allowing the foldable box structure to unfold.

[0037] In one alternative embodiment, in the second state, the first piece 202 and the second piece 203 are folded inward along the first crease 201 into the foldable box structure and respectively attached to the two top surfaces 1; the fourth piece 306 and the seventh piece 311 are folded inward along the second crease 301 into the foldable box structure and respectively attached to each other; and the second piece 304, the third piece 305, the fifth piece 309, and the sixth piece 310 are folded inward into the foldable box structure and respectively attached to the seventh piece 311 and the fourth piece 306.

[0038] In one alternative embodiment, in the third state, the first piece 202 and the second piece 203 are folded into the interior of the foldable box structure along the first crease 201, and the second piece 304 and the fifth piece 309 are folded into the interior of the foldable box structure along the fifth crease 307 and the fourth crease 303, respectively, and the second piece 304 and the fifth piece 309 are respectively attached to the second piece 203 and the first piece 202.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] Reference Figure 4 The difference from Embodiment 1 is that in this embodiment, the two top surfaces 1 are similar, and the overall structure of the foldable box is truncated pyramidal.

[0041] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0042] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A foldable, self-locking, unfoldable box structure, characterized in that, include: Two oppositely arranged top surfaces (1), two oppositely arranged front surfaces (2), and two oppositely arranged side surfaces (3), wherein the adjacent sides of the top surfaces (1), the front surfaces (2), and the side surfaces (3) are connected to each other; A first crease (201) is provided on the front (2), the first crease (201) is horizontally positioned, and the first crease (201) divides the front (2) into a first piece (202) and a second piece (203). A second crease (301) is provided on the side (3). The second crease (301) is vertical and its end corresponds to the first crease (201). The second crease (301) divides the side (3) into a fourth piece (306) and a seventh piece (311). Both ends of the fourth piece (306) are provided with a third crease (302) and a fourth crease (303). The two third creases (302) and the two fourth creases (303) are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the fourth piece (306). The third crease (302) and the fourth crease (303) both extend from one corner of the fourth piece (306) to the second crease (301). The third crease (302) and the fourth crease (303) divide the fourth piece (306) into a sixth piece (310) and a fifth piece (309), respectively. The seventh piece (311) has a fifth crease (307) and a sixth crease (308) at both ends. The two fifth creases (307) and the two sixth creases (308) are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the seventh piece (311). The fifth crease (307) and the sixth crease (308) extend from one corner of the seventh piece (311) to the second crease (301). One end of the fifth crease (307) intersects with one end of the third crease (302) at the second crease (301). One end of the sixth crease (308) intersects with one end of the fourth crease (303) at the second crease (301). The fifth crease (307) and the sixth crease (308) divide the seventh piece (311) into a third piece (305) and a second piece (304), respectively.

2. The foldable and self-locking foldable box structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the first piece (202) is a, the length of the fourth piece (306) is c, the length of the seventh piece (311) is b, and the length of the top surface (1) is d. Then: d-2c+2b=a.

3. The foldable and self-locking foldable box structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third crease (302) divides one corner of the fourth piece (306) into angle β and angle γ. γ is the angle between the third crease (302) and the side of the adjacent fourth piece (306), and β is the angle between the third crease (302) and the bottom of the adjacent fourth piece (306). One of the angles of the first piece (202) less than or equal to 90° is α, and the angle of the top surface (1) is δ. Then δ+β=α+γ.

4. The foldable and self-locking foldable box structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, This includes the first state, the second state, and the third state.

5. The foldable and self-locking foldable box structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the first state, the top surface (1), the front surface (2), and the side surface (3) are all flattened, and the foldable box structure can be unfolded.

6. The foldable and self-locking foldable box structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the second state, the first piece (202) and the second piece (203) are folded into the foldable box structure along the first crease (201) and respectively attached to the two top surfaces (1). The fourth piece (306) and the seventh piece (311) are folded outward along the second crease (301) and attached to each other. The second piece (304), the third piece (305), the fifth piece (309), and the sixth piece (310) are folded into the foldable box structure and respectively attached to the seventh piece (311) and the fourth piece (306).

7. The foldable and self-locking foldable box structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the third state, the first piece (202) and the second piece (203) are folded into the interior of the foldable box structure along the first crease (201), and the second piece (304) and the fifth piece (309) are folded into the interior of the foldable box structure along the fifth crease (307) and the fourth crease (303), respectively. The second piece (304) and the fifth piece (309) are respectively attached to the second piece (203) and the first piece (202).

8. The foldable and self-locking foldable box structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both top surfaces (1) are set as rectangles, and the two top surfaces (1) are congruent or similar.

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