Foldable Standing Figure Structure for Lightweight 3D Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing standing figures for displays are either limited to single-sided printing, heavy and expensive due to plastic construction, or require complex and time-consuming manufacturing processes to achieve a three-dimensional effect, lacking in compactness and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A modular standing figure comprising two arches connected circumferentially with a stand, allowing for symmetric curvature and a hollow body formation, enabling two-sided printing and easy assembly/disassembly, using foldable materials like cardboard or plastic, and featuring a shaper that presses the arches apart to create a three-dimensional effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If standing figures are made of plastic with internal shaping devices, then a three-dimensional effect is achieved, but the figures become very heavy and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standing figure is divided into separate components: flat arches made of lightweight material and a separate shaper element. The arches are connected circumferentially at edges to form a hollow body, which is then inserted with a shaper to create the three-dimensional curved surfaces. This segmentation allows the figure to achieve 3D effect without requiring heavy plastic construction throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
A shaper element acts as an intermediary between the flat arches and the final three-dimensional form. The shaper is inserted into the hollow body formed by the arches and presses the arches apart to create curved surfaces. This intermediary element enables the lightweight arches to achieve the desired 3D effect without needing to be made of heavy plastic.
2Shape
If standing figures are made of plastic through molding processes, then a three-dimensional effect is achieved, but manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arches are pre-formed as flat components with predetermined connection points at their edges. These flat arches can be manufactured using simple cutting and connection processes rather than time-consuming molding. The three-dimensional shape is then achieved by inserting the shaper element, which requires minimal assembly time compared to traditional molding processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standing figures use support devices with multiple individual elements, then various display requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a unified structure. The arches are connected circumferentially to form both the structural framework and the hollow body simultaneously. The shaper element serves multiple functions: it creates the three-dimensional curved surfaces, provides structural support, and enables the figure to stand upright. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed compared to traditional support devices.
4Volume of moving object
If standing figures are made to be foldable for space saving, then compactness is achieved, but the ability to display three-dimensional motifs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The standing figure transitions between two states: a compact folded state for storage and transport, and an expanded three-dimensional state for display. The arches can be folded flat to save space, yet when assembled and the shaper is inserted, the figure dynamically transforms into a three-dimensional form capable of displaying complex motifs. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between compactness and 3D display ability.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The standing figure has stator comprising shaping portion (3) and standing surface (2). The sheets (6) are circumferentially connected to the edges of stator and are pressed apart in erected state to form a receptacle (9) and extrados. The shaping portion is introduced into receptacle through an opening formed by associated sheets and is extended in vertical direction, such that shaping portion is perpendicular to flat side of extrados.