Weight supporting collapsible structures

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collapsible play structures are either not suitable for children to climb on or are heavy and not easily portable, lacking structural strength to support child weight.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible structure design featuring opposite support panels and tab panels connected via folding lines, allowing the structure to fold into a compact form and easily erect into a stable, weight-supporting configuration, with optional features like cross panels and ground support for enhanced strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If collapsible play structures are designed to be suitable for children to climb on, then structural strength is improved, but weight and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is divided into multiple panels (structure panels, support panels, tab panels) connected by folding lines, allowing the strong structure to be segmented into lightweight components that can be easily collapsed and ported while maintaining structural integrity when erected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The structure transitions between static states (collapsed and erected positions) through folding lines that allow dynamic reconfiguration. The panels remain rigid during each state to support weight, but the connections enable dynamic transformation between states for portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If collapsible play structures are designed to be suitable for children to climb on, then structural strength is improved, but ease of portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of portability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is divided into multiple panels (structure panels, support panels, tab panels) connected by folding lines, allowing the strong structure to be segmented into lightweight components that can be easily collapsed and ported while maintaining structural integrity when erected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The structure transitions between static states (collapsed and erected positions) through folding lines that allow dynamic reconfiguration. The panels remain rigid during each state to support weight, but the connections enable dynamic transformation between states for portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If collapsible structures fold into compact form, then ease of portability is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of portabilityVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is divided into multiple panels (structure panels, support panels, tab panels) connected by folding lines, allowing the strong structure to be segmented into lightweight components that can be easily collapsed and ported while maintaining structural integrity when erected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The structure transitions between static states (collapsed and erected positions) through folding lines that allow dynamic reconfiguration. The panels remain rigid during each state to support weight, but the connections enable dynamic transformation between states for portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11638479B2Weight supporting collapsible structures

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 POPIN TOYS LTD

AI summary

A collapsible structure with opposite support panels and tab panels, comprising: two structure panels; at least two support panels, each connected to the structure panels via two folding lines at opposite; and at least two tab panels, each connected to the structure panels via two folding lines at opposite sides, each contains at least two internal folding lines perpendicular to the tab folding lines; wherein when the structure is in a collapsed position, the panels are adjacent and generally parallel to each other, the structure panels are folded; and wherein when the structure is in an erected position, the support panels are perpendicular to the structure panels and the tab panels are folded by the internal folding lines, each tab panel partially adjacent to one of the support panels to shape a fixed rod supporting the internal folding lines and inserted to support a rigid distance between the structure panels.