Foldable variable object

Abstract

To provide a foldable variable object whose shape can be changed.SOLUTION: Foldable facility 10 comprises a variable body 20 that can be transformed into a folded state in which adjacent panel materials 30, 40 are folded so as to overlap each other, and an unfolded state in which the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 are unfolded three-dimensionally; a plurality of wires 32, 42 that are stretched across hinges 50 connecting the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 to the panel materials 30, 40 in the unfolded state; and a winding device 70 that changes the length of the wires 32, 42 that are stretched across the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 in the unfolded state to change the unfolded shape of the variable body 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable variable object. [Background technology]

[0002] Structural members such as roofs and floors are known that have an uneven shape to increase out-of-plane rigidity (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also known is a tensegrity structure that includes a three-dimensional rigid body formed by combining a plurality of plate materials and connecting members that connect the plurality of rigid bodies together while applying tension (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0004] Furthermore, a roof unit that is an improved tensegrity structure (tense grid structure) is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-002577 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2023-058923 A [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2021-014713 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, for example, in facilities such as pavilions and evacuation shelters, and in equipment such as partitions, sunshades and rain shelters, there is a demand to be able to change the shape according to the purpose and the surrounding environment.

[0007] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a foldable variable object whose deployed shape can be changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The foldable variable object described in claim 1 comprises a variable body having a plurality of planar portions foldably connected via hinge portions, and which can be transformed into a folded state in which the plurality of planar portions are folded, and an unfolded state in which the plurality of planar portions are unfolded three-dimensionally, a plurality of wire members that are passed across the planar portions in the unfolded state across the hinge portions connecting adjacent planar portions, and an unfolded shape changing means that changes the length of the wire members that are passed across adjacent planar portions in the unfolded state, thereby changing the unfolded shape of the variable body.

[0009] According to the foldable variable object of claim 1, the variable object has a plurality of planar parts foldably connected via hinge parts. This variable object is transformed into a folded state in which the plurality of planar parts are folded, and an unfolded state in which the plurality of planar parts are three-dimensionally unfolded.

[0010] In the unfolded state, the plurality of wires are passed across the hinge portion connecting the adjacent planar portions, and the unfolded shape changing means changes the length of the wires passed across the adjacent planar portions in the unfolded state, thereby changing the unfolded shape of the deformable body.

[0011] Here, for example, the length of the wire stretched across the adjacent planar parts can be changed by the expanded shape changing means depending on the application of the foldable variable object or the surrounding environment, thereby improving the convenience and versatility of the foldable variable object.

[0012] A foldable variable object according to a second aspect of the present invention is the foldable variable object according to the first aspect, wherein the unfolded shape changing means is provided on each of the wires connecting the adjacent planar portions.

[0013] According to the foldable variable object of claim 2, the unfolded shape changing means is provided on each of the wires connecting the adjacent planar portions. By changing the length of each of the wires connecting the adjacent planar portions with these unfolded shape changing means, the unfolded shape of the variable object can be easily fine-tuned.

[0014] A foldable variable object according to a third aspect of the present invention is the foldable variable object according to the first or second aspect, wherein the unfolded shape changing means includes a winding device that winds up the wire.

[0015] According to the foldable variable object of claim 3, the length of the wire stretched between adjacent planar parts can be easily changed by winding or unwinding the wire with the winding device, thereby further improving the convenience of the foldable variable object. Effect of the Invention

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, a foldable variable object whose shape can be changed can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a foldable variable body in a folded state according to one embodiment, seen from the inside. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an expanded state of a variable body in the foldable variable object shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the outside. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the expanded state of the variable body in the foldable variable object shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the outside. [Figure 4] 2A is an exploded view showing the basic shape of a balloon in an origami structure applied to the deformable body shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an oblique view showing the folded state of the basic shape of the balloon. [Diagram 5] 2 is a development view of the variable body shown in FIG. 1 made of paper. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a perspective view of the variable body shown in FIG. 2 in an expanded state, as viewed from the inside. FIG. [Figure 7] 7(A) is a plan view of the panel material shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the outside, and FIG. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the panel material shown in FIG. 7(A). [Figure 8] 3 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a modified example of the foldable variable object according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 5(A), (B), and (C) are perspective views corresponding to FIG. 2 and illustrating a modified example of a foldable variable object according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] (Foldable facility) 1, 2, and 3 show schematic diagrams of a foldable facility 10 as an example of a foldable variable object according to the present embodiment. The foldable facility 10 is, for example, a foldable building (structure) such as an exhibition facility or an evacuation facility. The foldable facility 10 has a foldable variable body 20.

[0020] In addition, the arrow X shown in each figure indicates the folding direction and unfolding direction (hereinafter referred to as the "folding and unfolding direction") of the foldable facility 10 (variable body 20). The arrow Y indicates the direction perpendicular to the folding and unfolding direction (hereinafter referred to as the "axial direction"). The arrow Z indicates the outside of the foldable facility 10 (variable body 20).

[0021] (Variable) The variable body 20 has a plurality of panel materials 30, 40 and a plurality of hinges 50 (see FIG. 7(B)). The variable body 20 is capable of transforming into a folded state in which the plurality of panel materials 30, 40 are folded as shown in FIG. 1, and into an unfolded state in which the plurality of panel materials 30, 40 are three-dimensionally unfolded as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0022] The panel materials 30, 40 are an example of a planar portion, and the hinge 50 is an example of a hinge portion.

[0023] 2, in one example of the expanded state of the variable body 20, for example, the variable body 20 has a semi-cylindrical shell shape along the axial direction (direction of arrow Y). The variable body 20 has semi-circular openings 22 and 24 at both ends in the axial direction.

[0024] 3, in another example of the unfolded state of the variable body 20, the opening 22 on one axial end side of the variable body 20 is larger than the opening 24 on the other axial end side. The variable body 20 also has semicircular openings 26 on both sides in the folding and unfolding direction.

[0025] Here, the variable body 20 is formed so as to be foldable based on the "basic shape of a balloon" in the origami structure. More specifically, in the variable body 20, the shapes, sizes, arrangements, etc. of the multiple panel materials 30, 40 are set based on the "basic shape of a balloon" in the origami structure. Also, in the variable body 20, the multiple panel materials 30, 40 are foldably connected via hinges 50 (see FIG. 7(B)) described later based on the "basic shape of a balloon" in the origami structure.

[0026] Below, we will explain the "basic shape of a balloon" in origami structure.

[0027] (Basic balloon shape) FIG. 4(A) shows a development of the basic shape P of a balloon. As shown in FIG. 4(A), the basic shape P of a balloon is a pattern that appears when folding a balloon with origami paper. In this basic shape P of a balloon, a pair of fold lines L1 (solid lines) along the diagonals of the square are mountain folds, and a fold line L2 (dotted line) that divides the square into two equal rectangles is a valley fold. The fold lines (creases) L1 and L2 are examples of hinge parts.

[0028] The basic shape P of the balloon has two panel materials 30 and four panel materials 40. The panel materials 30, 40 are formed in a triangular shape (right-angled triangle shape). The panel material 40 is also formed in a triangular shape obtained by equally dividing the panel material 30, and is half the size of the panel material 30.

[0029] The basic shape P of the balloon can be folded and unfolded in the folding and unfolding direction (the direction of the arrow X). When this basic shape P of the balloon is folded along the folding lines L1 and L2, as shown in Figure 4(B), four panels 40 are folded between two panels 30, forming a triangular shape (the shape of the panel materials 30).

[0030] Fig. 5 shows a part of a development diagram when the deformable body 20 is formed from paper (origami). In the basic form P of the balloon shown in Fig. 5, the fold line L1 is a valley fold (dotted line) and the fold line L2 is a mountain fold (solid line) to match the developed shape of the deformable body 20.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, the deformable body 20 has a plurality of balloon basic shapes P arranged in the folding and unfolding direction and the axial direction. The rows of balloon basic shapes P adjacent to each other in the axial direction are shifted by half in the folding and unfolding direction. This results in a staggered arrangement of a plurality of fold lines L2.

[0032] Here, when the basic shape P of the continuous balloons is folded along the folding lines L1 and L2, the adjacent panel materials 30 and 40 are folded so as to overlap as shown in Fig. 1, and the deformable body 20 is in the folded state described above. When the folded deformable body 20 is unfolded, the adjacent panel materials 30 and 40 are unfolded three-dimensionally as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the deformable body 20 is in the unfolded state described above.

[0033] 2 and 5 indicate the correspondence between the vertices of the variable body 20 in the unfolded state and the variable body 20 in the unfolded view. The size and shape of the variable body 20 (foldable facility 10) are adjusted by the number of basic balloon shapes P that are continuous in the folding and unfolding direction and the axial direction.

[0034] (wire rod) 6 shows a perspective view of the unfolded state of a basic form P of multiple balloons that are continuous in the folding and unfolding direction, as seen from the inside (opposite the direction of the arrow Z) of the foldable facility 10 (variable body 20). As shown in this Figure 6, adjacent panel materials 30, 40 are connected by wire materials 32, 42.

[0035] The wires 32, 42 are formed, for example, by wire rope, PC steel wire, etc. Furthermore, when the deformable body 20 is in the deployed state, the wire 32 is stretched across the hinges 50 connecting the adjacent panel materials 30 and is stretched across these panel materials 30.

[0036] More specifically, the wire 32 is arranged along the folding and unfolding direction, and is stretched across fasteners 34 provided at corners of adjacent panel materials 30 in the folding and unfolding direction when the deformable body 20 is in the unfolded state. Also, the wire 32 does not run along the surfaces of the adjacent panel materials 30, but connects the corners of the adjacent panel materials 30 at a position away from the hinges 50 that connect these panel materials 30.

[0037] When the deformable body 20 is in the expanded state, the wire 42 is stretched across the hinges 50 connecting the adjacent panel materials 40 and is passed between these panel materials 40 .

[0038] More specifically, the wire 42 is arranged along the folding and unfolding direction, and is stretched across fasteners 44 provided at corners of adjacent panel materials 40 in the folding and unfolding direction when the deformable body 20 is in the unfolded state. Also, the wire 42 does not run along the surfaces of the adjacent panel materials 40, but connects the corners of the adjacent panel materials 40 at a position away from the hinges 50 that connect these panel materials 40.

[0039] The fasteners 34, 44 are, for example, ball joints or wire clips, and are capable of fixing the wires 32, 42. The configuration and arrangement of the fasteners 34, 44 can be changed as appropriate.

[0040] (Winding device) The wire materials 32, 42 are each provided with a winding device 70. The winding device 70 is a length adjustment device that adjusts the length of the wire materials 32, 42 stretched across adjacent panel materials 30, 40 by winding and unwinding the wire materials 32, 42. The winding device 70 is an example of a deployed shape changing means.

[0041] The winding device 70 has a reel (not shown) around which the wires 32, 42 are wound, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the reel to wind or unwind the wires 32, 42. The motor can be remotely controlled, for example. The length of each of the wires 32, 42 is adjusted by the winding device 70, whereby the variable body 20 is transformed between a folded state and an unfolded state.

[0042] Specifically, the variable body 20 is transformed from the unfolded state to the folded state by shortening the length of the wires 32, 42 connecting the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 by the winding device 70. Meanwhile, the variable body 20 can be transformed from the folded state to the unfolded state by lengthening the length of each of the wires 32, 42 connecting the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 by the winding device 70. In addition, when the variable body 20 is in the unfolded state, the unfolded shape of the variable body 20 can be changed by adjusting the length of each of the wires 32, 42 connecting the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 by the winding device 70.

[0043] (Panel material) Next, there will be described the configurations of the panel materials 30, 40 and the hinge 50. Note that since the panel material 40 has the same configuration as the panel material 30, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] 7(A) and 7(B), the panel material 30 is a surface material having a predetermined surface rigidity, and is formed, for example, from a styrene board, a resin board, a biodegradable plastic board, a wood board, an ALC board, a concrete board, etc. The panel material 30 has a predetermined thickness. These panel materials 30 are connected (joined) via hinges 50 so as to overlap each other and be foldable.

[0045] (hinge) The hinge 50 is a so-called hinge, and rotatably connects the adjacent panel materials 30, 40. The configurations of the hinges 50 that connect adjacent panel materials 30, adjacent panel materials 40, and adjacent panel materials 30, 40 are the same. Therefore, the configuration of the hinges 50 that connect adjacent panel materials 30 will be described below.

[0046] The hinge 50 has a rotating shaft 52 and a plurality of blades 54. The rotating shaft 52 is disposed in the gap between adjacent panel materials 30. The plurality of blades 54 are rotatably attached to the rotating shaft 52.

[0047] The multiple blades 54 are formed into a rectangular shape using a metal plate or the like. The multiple blades 54 are also arranged along the inner surfaces of adjacent panel materials 30. Each blade 54 is fixed to the panel material 30 by a plurality of screws 56. Via this hinge 50, the adjacent panel materials 30 are connected in a foldable (rotatable) manner so as to overlap each other.

[0048] Further, the hinge 50 is provided with an elastic body such as a torsion spring that biases the adjacent panel materials 30 in a direction to unfold them. Note that the elastic body may be provided as necessary and may be omitted as appropriate.

[0049] (Tarp sheet) The gaps between adjacent panel materials 30 are sealed with waterproof sheets 60. The waterproof sheets 60 are provided on the outer surfaces of adjacent panel materials 30, and cover the gaps between adjacent panel materials 30 and the hinges 50 provided in the gaps. This prevents rainwater and the like from penetrating into the inside of the deformable body 20 through the gaps between the adjacent panel materials 30, 40.

[0050] Although not shown in the figures, the gaps between adjacent panel materials 40 and the gaps between adjacent panel materials 30, 40 are also sealed by waterproof sheets 60. Furthermore, the waterproof sheets 60 are an example of waterproofing means for sealing the gaps between adjacent panel materials 30. Furthermore, the waterproof sheets 60 may be provided as necessary, and may be omitted as appropriate.

[0051] (Action and Effects) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0052] Fig. 1 shows the foldable facility 10 with the variable body 20 in a folded state. When the motors of the winding devices 70 are operated from this state to lengthen the wires 32, 42 connecting the corners (fasteners 34, 44) of the adjacent panel materials 30, 40, the multiple panel materials 30, 40 rotate around the hinge 50 (see Fig. 7(B)) due to the biasing force of the elastic body provided on the hinge 50, and the multiple panel materials 30, 40 are three-dimensionally deployed as shown in Fig. 2. In other words, the variable body 20 is transformed from the folded state to the deployed state.

[0053] In addition, when the variable body 20 is in an unfolded state, the length of the wires 32, 42 connecting the corners of adjacent panel materials 30 is adjusted by the winding device 70, thereby changing the unfolded shape of the variable body 20 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0054] 3, as an example, in the unfolded state, the opening 22 on one axial end side of the variable body 20 is larger than the opening 24 on the other axial end side. Also, semicircular openings 26 are formed on both sides of the variable body 20 in the folding and unfolding direction.

[0055] Next, when the length of the wires 32, 42 connecting the corners of the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 is shortened by the winding device 70 while the variable body 20 is in the unfolded state, the variable body 20 is folded as shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the variable body 20 is transformed from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0056] In this manner, in this embodiment, by changing the deployed shape of the variable body 20, for example, it is possible to change the amount and direction of sunlight and wind entering the inside of the variable body 20. In addition, for example, the internal space of the variable body 20 can be changed depending on the use of the foldable facility 10. That is, in this embodiment, the deployed shape of the variable body 20 can be changed depending on the use of the foldable facility 10 and the surrounding environment. Therefore, the convenience and versatility of the foldable facility 10 are improved.

[0057] Furthermore, by folding the variable body 20, the foldable facility 10 can be easily transported, relocated, etc. Therefore, the convenience and versatility of the foldable facility 10 are further improved.

[0058] In this embodiment, the length of the wires 32, 42 stretched across the corners of the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 by the winding device 70 is changed. Therefore, the length of the wires 32, 42 can be easily adjusted. Therefore, the convenience of the foldable facility 10 is further improved.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a winding device 70 is provided on each of the multiple wires 32, 42 that connect the adjacent panel materials 30, 40. This makes it possible to easily finely adjust the deployed shape of the variable body 20.

[0060] (Modification) Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the winding device 70 is provided on each of the wires 32, 42 connecting the adjacent panel materials 30, 40. However, the arrangement and number of the winding devices 70 can be changed as appropriate as long as the variable body 20 is foldable and unfoldable. For example, the winding device 70 may be provided only on the wires 32 or only on the wires 42.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the unfolded shape changing means is the winding device 70. However, the unfolded shape changing means is not limited to a winding device. The unfolded shape changing means may be anything that can change the length of the wires 32, 42 stretched across adjacent panel materials 30, 40, and may be, for example, a clip that fixes the wires 32, 42 in a folded state and shortens the length of the wires 32, 42. The unfolded shape changing means may be configured to include the winding device 70, a clip, etc.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the wires 32, 42 connect the corners (fasteners 34, 44) of the adjacent panel materials 30, 40. However, the wires 32, 42 are not limited to connecting the corners of the adjacent panel materials 30, 40, and may connect other portions of the adjacent panel materials 30.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the wires 32, 42 connect the adjacent panel materials 30, 40. However, the wires 32, 42 only need to be stretched across the hinge 50 between the adjacent panel materials 30, 40, and do not necessarily have to connect the adjacent panel materials 30, 40.

[0065] For example, a single wire may be slidably inserted into rings or the like provided at the corners of three or more panel materials 30, so that the wire can be stretched across adjacent panel materials 30 without connecting the adjacent panel materials 30. Both ends of this single wire are fixed to rings or the like, for example. In this case, by adjusting the length of a single wire with a single winding device 70, the lengths of the wire stretched across adjacent panel materials 30 can be adjusted simultaneously.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the adjacent panel materials 30, 40 are foldably connected based on the basic shape P of a balloon in an origami structure. However, the adjacent panel materials are not limited to the basic shape P of a balloon, and may be foldably connected (connected) based on, for example, an accordion fold, a Miura fold, or a diamond fold (Yoshimura pattern) in an origami structure.

[0067] Also, for example, as in a modified example shown in FIG. 8, the variable body 82 of the foldable facility 80 may have a gate-shaped origami structure.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the variable body 20 is shell-shaped in the unfolded state. However, the variable body 20 is not limited to being shell-shaped in the unfolded state, and may be, for example, arch-shaped. As in the modified example shown in FIG. 9(A), the variable body 84 may be semi-cylindrical in the unfolded state. As in the modified example shown in FIG. 9(B), the variable body 86 may be semi-frustum-shaped. Furthermore, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 9(C), the variable body 88 may be saddle-shaped.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the foldable variable object is the foldable facility 10. However, the foldable variable object is not limited to the foldable facility 10, and may be a partition (room divider), a sunshade, a rainshade, or other foldable equipment.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the panel materials 30, 40 are formed from a surface material such as a styrene board. However, the panel material is not limited to a surface material such as a styrene board, and may be formed from, for example, a triangular frame and a membrane material stretched over the frame.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the planar portion is the panel material 30, 40. However, the planar portion is not limited to the panel material 30, 40, and may be a sheet material such as foldable cardboard or thick paper. When the deformable body is formed from a foldable sheet material, the fold lines (creases) become the hinge portions, and the areas of the sheet material partitioned by the fold lines become the planar portion.

[0072] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and one embodiment and various modified examples may be used in appropriate combination, and it is of course possible to implement the present invention in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Folding facilities (foldable variable objects) 20 Variable 30 Panel material (surface part) 32 Wire rod 40 Panel material (surface part) 42 Wire rod 50 Hinge (hinge part) 70 Winding device (unfolded shape changing means) 80 Folding facilities (folding variable objects) 82 Variable 84 Variable 86 Variable Body 88 Variable L1 Folding line (hinge part) L2 Folding line (hinge part)

Claims

1. A variable body having a plurality of planar parts foldably connected via a hinge part, the variable body being deformed into a folded state in which the plurality of planar parts are folded and an unfolded state in which the plurality of planar parts are three-dimensionally unfolded; a plurality of wires that are stretched across hinge portions that connect adjacent planar portions in the unfolded state; and a deployed shape changing means for changing a length of the wire material connected to adjacent planar portions in the deployed state to change the deployed shape of the variable body; A foldable variable object comprising:

2. The unfolded shape changing means is provided on each of the wires connecting the adjacent planar portions, The foldable variable object according to claim 1.

3. The deployed shape changing means includes a winding device that winds up the wire. The foldable, variable object according to claim 1 or 2.

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