Foldable Sections for Stable Collapsible Tubular Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foldable tubular structures are unstable in the unfolded position, require soft materials, and lack versatility in shape and production methods, making them unsuitable for various applications and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
The development of collapsible articles comprising a plurality of stable and compact foldable sections that can be made from different materials and manufactured using various methods, allowing for cylindrical and conical shapes, enabling single-use and reusable designs with improved stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional foldable tubular structures are used, then they can be collapsed compactly, but they are unstable in unfolded position and require soft materials
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable structure is divided into multiple sections with foldable interconnections, allowing each segment to maintain stability independently while enabling overall compact collapse. The structure comprises a plurality of foldably interconnected foldable sections, where each section can be stabilized individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the use of composite material structures that combine rigid and flexible properties. The foldable sections can be made from different materials including harder ones, creating a composite system that achieves both stability and foldability without requiring entirely soft materials.
2Volume of moving object
If intensive corrugation is applied to enable folding, then compact collapse is achieved, but cleaning and maintenance of the interior becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is localized to specific foldable interconnections between sections rather than requiring intensive corrugation of the entire surface. This allows smooth cylindrical or conical surfaces in the functional portions while maintaining foldability at designated locations.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the structure into discrete foldable sections with foldable interconnections, the folding action is confined to specific locations, leaving the interior surfaces of each section smooth and easy to clean, while still achieving compact collapse when all sections are folded.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional folding principles are used, then compact collapse is possible, but variability in shape and adaptability to different production methods are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable section design serves multiple functions: it enables compact collapse, maintains stability when unfolded, allows smooth surface formation, and accommodates different production methods. The universal foldable section design can be manufactured using various production methods and assembled through foldable interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure incorporates dynamic foldable interconnections that allow the sections to transition between unfolded and folded states. This dynamic capability enables the same basic structure to achieve different shapes and configurations while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized foldable section designs.
Data Source
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AI summary
Collapsible article comprising a plurality of foldably interconnected foldable sections/modules. The foldable sections can be part of cylindrical or conical surfaces. They can also be in the form of closing sections. When the foldable sections are part of tubular surfaces, either cylindrical or conical, they consist of four polygonal surface segments. The polygonal segments are curved/round in unfolded state and have a flat or approximately flat shape in partly folded and folded states. The folding process usually involves an abrupt transition between the unfolded and folded positions which makes the unfolded article almost as stable as non-foldable equivalents. In general, the folding process requires application of force on the edges that form valley creases during folding. When the article is made of soft materials or has a constant or relatively constant thickness with convex and/or concave foldable edges it usually collapses when excessive axial force is applied.