Figure Manufacturing with Segmented Skeletons for Realistic Joint Movement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional figure manufacturing methods struggle to achieve realistic joint movement, resulting in awkward joint articulation and a lower simulation level of actual characters, which reduces consumer satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method involving a molding step where a skin surface and first skeleton are molded, followed by a removing step to leave only the first skeleton, and a coupling step where the joint part is connected to a second skeleton, using a hard material for the skeleton and a soft material for the skin surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a joint structure is applied to enable movement in figures, then the figure can show various postures and movements, but the joint parts become awkward and unrealistic compared to actual human anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint movement capabilityVSAvoidrealism of joint articulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The figure is divided into multiple independent joint parts (head, torso, limbs) that can move relative to each other. Each joint is segmented into separate components with rotation axes positioned to mimic natural human anatomy, allowing realistic movement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The joint rotation axes are positioned in three-dimensional space to match human anatomical joint locations (e.g., shoulder joints at the shoulder socket, hip joints at the pelvis). This spatial arrangement enables naturalistic movement patterns that replicate human biomechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If conventional joint structures are used, then the figure can move, but the simulation level of actual character is significantly lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement functionalityVSAvoidsimulation accuracy of actual character

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the figure have different structural characteristics optimized for their specific functions. Joint areas feature rotation mechanisms with precise axis positioning, while muscle areas use soft materials with appropriate elasticity, and bone areas use rigid materials. This localized optimization maintains high simulation accuracy while enabling natural movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The figure combines multiple materials with different properties: rigid materials for skeletal structures, elastic soft materials for muscles and skin, and friction-reducing materials for joint surfaces. This composite approach enables realistic movement dynamics while maintaining anatomical accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250114717A1Figure and manufacturing method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 KO HYUNGJUN

AI summary

The present invention relates to a figure and a manufacturing method thereof, and the manufacturing method includes: a molding step of molding a skin surface in a mold and a first skeleton; a removing step of removing only the mold on the molded skin surface, and leaving the first skeleton; a coupling step of coupling the joint part to the second skeleton, and the first skeleton is made of a hard material, and the skin surface is injected as a soft material.