Structures and lattice structures

Abstract

To provide a structure improved in a reduction capability for reducing a load.SOLUTION: A structure has a plurality of pillar parts which, in a rectangular parallelepiped space containing the structure, extend at least from each of vertexes of the space to one point within the space. When viewing the space from a side of a load receiving surface which is one of surfaces defining the space and receives a load, a part of a central axis of the pillar part does not overlap with a straight line connecting the vertex contained in the central axis and the one point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure and a lattice structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various structures for relaxing loads have been known. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a lattice structure having a curved support column.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described lattice structure, the elastic modulus can be reduced by shortening the diameter of the support column. However, since there is also a limit to the manufacturing accuracy of the diameter of the support column, there is also a limit to reducing the elastic modulus by shortening the diameter of the support column. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the technology for relaxing loads.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a structure having an improved load-relaxing ability for relaxing loads.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be realized in the following forms.

[0007] (1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, a structure is provided. This structure has a plurality of support columns in a rectangular parallelepiped space containing the structure, each extending from at least one vertex of the space to a point within the space, and when the space is viewed from the load-receiving surface, which is one of the surfaces defining the space and is subjected to a load, a portion of the central axis of the support columns does not coincide with a straight line connecting the vertex and the point included in the central axis.

[0008] In this configuration, when viewing space from the load-bearing surface, a portion of the central axis of the support column does not coincide with the straight line connecting a vertex included in this central axis to a point in space. Therefore, compared to a configuration where the entire central axis of the support column coincides with this straight line when viewed from the load-bearing surface, the support column can be made longer within the space. As a result, the elastic modulus of the structure can be reduced, providing a structure with improved load-relieving capacity. Furthermore, since the load-relieving capacity is improved by making the support column longer, there is no need to combine multiple materials of different materials to enhance the load-relieving capacity, and a structure with improved load-relieving capacity can be created from a single material. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the structure can be reduced while also improving the recyclability of the structure.

[0009] (2) In the structure of the above form, when the space is viewed from the side of the load-receiving surface, a portion of each of the central axes may coincide with a straight line connecting the other vertices included in the load-receiving surface and the point. With this configuration, when viewing the space from the load-bearing surface, a portion of the central axis of the support column coincides with a straight line connecting another vertex included in the load-bearing surface to a point in space. Therefore, since a portion of the support column extending toward a point in space coincides with this straight line, the support column can be made even longer within the space. As a result, a structure with improved load-relieving capacity can be provided.

[0010] (3) Another embodiment of the present invention provides a lattice structure. This lattice structure has a structure in which the structures described in the above embodiment are arranged continuously along at least one direction, and the support portions that share the vertices of adjacent structures may be connected to each other. In this configuration, each structure is connected via a support column that shares a common vertex. Therefore, if the direction of the arrangement of the structures includes the direction in which the load-bearing surface faces, it is possible to provide a lattice structure with even greater load-relieving capacity compared to a single structure. Furthermore, if the direction of the arrangement of the structures includes a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the load-bearing surface faces, it is possible to provide a lattice structure with an enlarged load-bearing surface area compared to a single structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, in the form of shoes, packaging materials, and sheet materials using the above-described structure or lattice structure, a manufacturing method for manufacturing the above-described structure or lattice structure, and a manufacturing apparatus for carrying out the manufacturing method thereof. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a structure as one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the design process of a structure. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the design process of a structure. [Figure 4]This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the design process of a structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of structure 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows mutually orthogonal XYZ axes. The X axis corresponds to the width direction of structure 1, the Y axis corresponds to the depth direction of structure 1, and the Z axis corresponds to the height direction of structure 1. Structure 1 is a structure that alleviates loads applied along the Z axis direction, as indicated by the white arrows in Figure 1. Structure 1 has support columns S1 to S8.

[0014] Space SP is a rectangular parallelepiped (cubic in this embodiment) space that encloses structure 1. That is, space SP encloses the support columns S1 to S8. Space SP also has eight vertices V1 to V8 as the vertices of the rectangular parallelepiped. For illustrative purposes, only vertex V5 of vertices V1 to V8 is not shown in Figure 1 (vertex V5 is shown in Figures 2 to 4).

[0015] The support columns S1 to S8 extend from at least each of the vertices V1 to V8 to the center O of space SP. That is, the support columns S1 to S8 are connected to each other at least at the center O and its vicinity. In this embodiment, in addition to the portion of each support column S1 to S8 that extends from each of the vertices V1 to V8 to the center O, the support columns S1 to S8 also include portions that extend from each of the vertices V1 to V8 toward the adjacent vertex along the plane defining space SP (for example, the portion of support column S6 that extends from vertex V6 toward the adjacent vertex V7, and the portion of support column S7 that extends from vertex V7 toward the adjacent vertex V8). The cross-section of the portion of each support column S1 to S8 that is not in contact with the plane defining space SP is circular.

[0016] The load-bearing surface LD is the surface that receives the load among the surfaces defining the space SP. The load-bearing surface LD is the surface defined by vertices V1 to V4. Although not shown in the illustration, the surface defined by vertices V5 to V8 is also a load-bearing surface.

[0017] Figures 2 to 4 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the design process of the structure 1. The support portions S1 to S8 (structure 1) are created by a 3D printer. At this time, the data referred to by the 3D printer is created by designing the central axes X1 to X8 of the support portions S1 to S8 using NURBS curves (explained in Figures 2 to 4), and then setting the values of the diameters of the central axes X1 to X8.

[0018] In Figure 2(A), the space SP is shown as seen from the same perspective as in Figure 1. In Figure 2(B), the space SP is shown as seen from the side of the load receiving surface LD. In Figure 2(B), the surface defined by the vertices V5 to V8 can be seen inside the surface (load receiving surface LD) defined by the vertices V1 to V4. The central axis X1 corresponds to the central axis of the portion of the support portion S1 that extends from the vertex V1 to the center O. The control point C shown in Figure 2 is a point that controls the shape of the central axis X1. The designer of the structure 1 designs the shape of the central axis X1 by adjusting the shape of the central axis X1 that changes according to the movement of the control point C within the space SP. That is, the central axis X1 has a curved shape and extends from the vertex V1 through the control point C to the center O.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2(B), when the space SP is viewed from the side of the load receiving surface LD, a part of the central axis X1 does not overlap with the straight line L1 that connects the center O and the vertex V1 (the vertex included in the central axis X1). Specifically, the central axis X1 does not overlap with the straight line L1 except for the vertex V1 and the center O. Also, as shown in Figure 2(B), when the space SP is viewed from the side of the load receiving surface LD, a part of the central axis X1 overlaps with the straight line L4 that connects the other vertex V4 included in the load receiving surface LD and the center O. Specifically, the central axis X1 extends from the vertex V1, overlaps with the straight line L4, and then reaches the center O via the control point C. Here, the other vertex refers to the vertex (V2 or V4 in Figure 2) that is adjacent among the vertices that define the same load receiving surface (load receiving surface LD in Figure 2) as the vertex (V1 in Figure 2) included in the target central axis (central axis X1 in Figure 2).

[0020] Figures 3(A) and 3(B) show central axes X2 to X4 in addition to central axis X1. Central axes X2 to X4 are the central axes of the portion of the support column S2 to S4 that extends from the vertices V2 to V4 to the center O. Each of central axes X2 to X4 extends from each of the vertices V2 to V4 to the center O with the same curvature as central axis X1. In other words, the shape of central axes X2 to X4 is the same as the shape of central axis X1, and is therefore determined based on the shape of central axis X1.

[0021] Figures 4(A) and 4(B) show central axes X5 to X8 in addition to central axes X1 to X4. Central axes X5 to X8 are the central axes of the portion of the support column S5 to S8 that extends from the vertices V5 to V8 to the center O. Each of central axes X5 to X8 extends from each of the vertices V5 to V8 to the center O with the same curvature as central axis X1. In other words, the shape of central axes X5 to X8 is the same as the shape of central axis X1, and is therefore determined based on the shape of central axis X1. Thus, the design of central axes X1 to X8 is performed by first determining the shape of central axis X1 by adjusting the shape of central axis X1 by moving control point C (see Figure 2), and then arranging central axes X2 to X8 between the vertices V2 to V8 and the center O with the same curvature as central axis X1 (see Figures 3 and 4). Then, by setting the diameter values ​​of these central axes X1 to X8, the central axes X1 to X8 are expanded and become the part of the support column S1 to S8 that extends from vertices V1 to V8 to the center O. More specifically, the part of the expanded central axes X1 to X8 that is located inside the space SP becomes the part of the support column S1 to S8 that extends from vertices V1 to V8 to the center O. Note that this part does not include the part of the expanded central axes X1 to X8 that is located outside the space SP, but the central axis in this part is still the central axes X1 to X8 that were used as the basis for setting the diameter values. After this, the parts of the support column S1 to S8 that extend from each of the vertices V1 to V8 toward the adjacent vertex along the plane defining space SP are designed (see Figure 1). Using the data representing the support column S1 to S8 (structure 1) thus created, the actual structure 1 is created by a 3D printer.

[0022] According to the structure 1 of the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 2(B), when the space SP is viewed from the side of the load receiving surface LD, a part of the central axis X1 does not overlap with the straight line L1 connecting the center O and the vertex V1. Further, since the central axes X2 to X8 extend from each of the vertices V2 to V8 to the center O with the same degree of bend as the central axis X1, a part of each of the central axes X2 to X8, like the central axis X1, does not overlap with each of the straight lines connecting the center O and the vertices V2 to V8. Therefore, when the space SP is viewed from the side of the load receiving surface LD, compared with the form in which the entire central axis X1 overlaps with the straight line L1 (and the entire central axes X2 to X8 overlap with each of the straight lines connecting the center O and the vertices V2 to V8), the support portions S1 to S8 can be provided longer in the space SP. As a result, since the elastic modulus of the structure 1 can be reduced, a structure 1 with improved buffering ability to relieve the load can be provided. Further, according to the structure 1 of the first embodiment, since the buffering ability is improved by providing the support portions S1 to S8 longer, it is not necessary to combine a plurality of materials of different materials to enhance the buffering ability, and a structure 1 with improved buffering ability can be created from a single material. As a result, while reducing the manufacturing cost of the structure 1, the recyclability of the structure 1 can also be improved.

[0023] Furthermore, in the structure 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 2(B), when viewing the space SP from the side of the load-bearing surface LD, a portion of the central axis X1 coincides with the straight line L4 connecting another vertex V4 included in the load-bearing surface LD to the center O. Also, since the central axes X2 to X8 extend from each of the vertices V2 to V8 to the center O with the same curvature as the central axis X1, similar to the central axis X1, a portion of each of the central axes X2 to X8 coincides with the straight line connecting another vertex included in the load-bearing surface LD to the center O (for example, a portion of the central axis X2 coincides with the straight line connecting another vertex V1 to the center O, a portion of the central axis X3 coincides with the straight line connecting another vertex V2 to the center O, and a portion of the central axis X6 coincides with the straight line connecting another vertex V5 to the center O). Therefore, since some of the support columns S1 to S8 extending toward the center O of the space SP overlap with the straight line connecting the other vertices to the center O, the support columns S1 to S8 can be made even longer within the space SP. As a result, a structure 1 with even greater load-relieving capacity can be provided.

[0024] <Second Embodiment> The lattice structure of the second embodiment has a structure in which the structures 1 of the first embodiment are arranged continuously along the three directions of the XYZ axes. Furthermore, in adjacent structures 1, the support parts that share a vertex are connected. For example, in the structure 1 of Figure 1 and another structure 1 arranged adjacent to it on the +Z axis side (in the structure 1 and another structure 1 arranged so that the load-receiving surface LD of the structure 1 and the plane defined by vertices V5 to V8 of the other structure 1 overlap as a whole), since the vertex V3 of the support part S3 of the structure 1 and the vertex V7 of the support part S7 of the other structure 1 overlap, the support part S3 of the structure 1 and the support part S7 of the other structure 1 are support parts that share a vertex. Thus, in the lattice structure of the second embodiment, each of the support parts S1 to S8 of the structure 1 is connected to the support parts S1 to S8 of the adjacent other structure 1 that share a vertex in the portion along the plane defining the space SP.

[0025] In the lattice structure of the second embodiment described above, each of the structures 1 is connected via a support column that shares a common vertex. Therefore, if the direction in which the load-receiving surface LD faces (the Z-axis direction in Figure 1) is included in the arrangement direction of the structures 1, a lattice structure with even greater load-relieving capacity can be provided compared to a single structure 1. Furthermore, if the direction in which the structures 1 are arranged includes a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the load-receiving surface LD faces (the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction in Figure 1), a lattice structure with an enlarged load-receiving surface LD area can be provided compared to a single structure 1.

[0026] <Modified form of this embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit, for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0027] [Example 1] In the above embodiment, space SP was a cubic space enclosing structure 1, but it is not limited to this. As long as space SP is a rectangular parallelepiped space, the edges along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis may not be of the same length, but may be of different lengths.

[0028] [Differentiation 2] In the above embodiment, the cross-section of the portion of each of the support columns S1 to S8 that is not in contact with the plane defining the space SP was circular, but it is not limited to this. The cross-section of the portion of each of the support columns S1 to S8 that is not in contact with the plane defining the space SP may be square, rectangular, trapezoidal, rhombus, triangular, or the like.

[0029] [Difference 3] In the above embodiment, the support columns S1 to S8 included portions extending from each of the vertices V1 to V8 to the center O, as well as portions extending from each of the vertices V1 to V8 towards the adjacent vertex along the plane defining the space SP. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the support columns S1 to S8 may consist only of portions extending from each of the vertices V1 to V8 to the center O.

[0030] [Differentiation Example 4] In the above embodiment, a portion of each of the central axes X1 to X8 does not overlap with any of the lines connecting the center O and the vertices V1 to V8, but overlaps with a line connecting the center O to another vertex included in the load-bearing surface LD. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a portion of each of the central axes X1 to X8 does not have to overlap with any of the lines connecting the center O and the vertices V1 to V8, nor does it have to overlap with a line connecting the center O to another vertex included in the load-bearing surface LD.

[0031] [Difference 5] In the above embodiment, the support columns S1 to S8 extended from at least each of the vertices V1 to V8 to the center O of the space SP, but this is not limited to this. For example, the support columns S1 to S8 only need to extend from at least each of the vertices V1 to V8 to a point in the space SP, and that point may be a point at a different location from the center O. In such a configuration, the support columns S1 to S8 can be made longer within the space SP, as long as a part of the central axis X1 to X8 does not coincide with each of the lines connecting that point and the vertices V1 to V8 when the space SP is viewed from the side of the load-receiving surface LD. Furthermore, the support columns S1 to S8 can be made even longer within the space SP, as long as a part of each of the central axis X1 to X8 coincides with the line connecting that point to another vertex included in the load-receiving surface LD when the space SP is viewed from the side of the load-receiving surface LD.

[0032] The embodiments of this specification have been described above based on the embodiments and modifications described above. The embodiments described above are for the purpose of facilitating understanding of this specification and do not limit it. This specification may be modified and improved without departing from its spirit and the scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in this specification. Furthermore, any technical features that are not described as essential in this specification may be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1...Structure LD…Load-bearing surface O…Center S1~S8…Strut part SP…Space V1~V8...Vertices X1~X8…Central axis

Claims

1. It is a structure, In the rectangular parallelepiped space enclosing the aforementioned structure, there are a plurality of support columns extending from at least each of the vertices of the space to a point within the space, When viewing the space from the load-receiving surface, which is the surface that receives the load among the surfaces defining the space, a portion of the central axis of the support column does not coincide with the straight line connecting the vertex included in the central axis and the point. A structure in which, when the space is viewed from the side of the load-bearing surface, a portion of each of the central axes coincides with a straight line connecting the point with another vertex included in the load-bearing surface.

2. A lattice structure, The structure has a configuration in which the structures described in claim 1 are arranged continuously along at least one direction, A lattice structure in which, among the structures described above, adjacent structures have their support columns that share the same vertex connected to each other.

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