Hexagonal Covering Unit Asymmetry for Natural Random Look
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial covering units, such as flagstones, often lack a natural-looking appearance and are difficult to install, as they either exhibit repetitive patterns or require complex combinations of differently shaped stones.
Innovation Solution
A hexagonal artificial covering unit with three pairs of sides, where each pair has a central point of angular symmetry, with the second and third pairs being similar and the first pair being different, featuring split deviations that allow for rotational mating with neighboring units, enabling easy installation and a natural random look without the need for multiple shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If artificial covering units are made with regular segments, then they are easy to manufacture, but they produce a repetitive pattern with an unnatural linear line effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the covering unit with an irregular hexagonal shape where opposite sides are unequal in length. Specifically, the hexagon has three pairs of opposite sides where each pair consists of one long side and one short side, creating an asymmetric pattern that eliminates the repetitive linear effect while maintaining ease of manufacturing through a single mold design.
2Shape
If sets of artificial stones with different shapes are used, then a more natural random look is obtained, but it becomes a real puzzle for a user to install and combine those stones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single covering unit shape that can serve multiple functions and orientations. The irregular hexagonal shape with specific side relationships allows the unit to be installed in various orientations (0°, 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, 300°) while maintaining compatibility with neighboring units, eliminating the need for multiple different stone shapes and simplifying installation to a straightforward repeating pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hexagonal shape into three pairs of opposite sides with distinct length characteristics. This segmentation creates an asymmetric pattern where each side pair (one long, one short) can mate with corresponding sides of adjacent units, enabling easy installation while producing a natural random appearance through the varied side configurations.
3Shape
If asymmetric flagstones with six irregular sides are used, then a natural random look is achieved, but the installation complexity increases without rotational symmetry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the covering unit with an irregular hexagonal shape where opposite sides are unequal in length. Specifically, the hexagon has three pairs of opposite sides where each pair consists of one long side and one short side, creating an asymmetric pattern that eliminates the repetitive linear effect while maintaining ease of manufacturing through a single mold design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single covering unit shape that can serve multiple functions and orientations. The irregular hexagonal shape with specific side relationships allows the unit to be installed in various orientations (0°, 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, 300°) while maintaining compatibility with neighboring units, eliminating the need for multiple different stone shapes and simplifying installation to a straightforward repeating pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
A covering unit for use in combination with similar units for covering a surface with a natural random look, the unit having an hexagonal body comprising first, second and third pairs of opposed and parallel sides. Each side has a central point of angular symmetry. The second and third pairs are similar to each other while the first pair is different from the others. The sides of the second and third pairs are provided with at least one split deviation along their length arranged so that each side of the second pair is a rotational image of the sides of the third pair, whereby in use in combination with other covering units: each side is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of a neighboring unit; and the unit has a central point of angular symmetry and is matingly engageable with a plurality of neighboring unit.