Hinged Polyhedron for Gap-Free Yoshimoto Cube Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The original Yoshimoto cube, featuring two removably coupled polyhedra, experiences unintended gaps between faces and edges due to the use of flexible films for connection, leading to an irregular appearance, while alternative solutions like hinges are not applicable as they hinder complementary coupling.
Innovation Solution
A polyhedron configured with eight half-cubes connected by hinge members that extend along free edges, allowing rotation around a parallel axis, ensuring face matching without gaps and enabling complementary coupling with another polyhedron.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If flexible film is used to connect half-cubes, then overall dimensions are minimized, but wear resistance deteriorates and unintended gaps form between faces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flexible film connection with a hinge member mechanism. The hinge member includes a pin and two arms that rotate relative to each other, allowing the connection edges to move closer and match perfectly without the wear and gap issues of film connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge member acts as an intermediary between the two half-cubes. It includes connection edges that can rotate and match the connection edges of adjacent half-cubes, allowing for precise alignment while providing a durable mechanical connection.
2Reliability
If hinge members are used to connect half-cubes, then wear resistance improves and gaps are eliminated, but complementary coupling between polyhedra is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member is divided into two arms that can rotate independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each arm to adapt to the orientation of adjacent half-cubes, enabling both durable connection and complementary coupling between polyhedra.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge member incorporates rotational movement capability, allowing the connection edges to dynamically adjust their orientation. This dynamic adjustment enables the hinge to maintain wear-resistant contact while accommodating the complementary coupling requirements of different polyhedron configurations.
3Volume of moving object
If connection edges are set alongside each other, then overall dimensions are minimized, but unintended gaps form between faces in certain configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static film connection with a dynamic hinge mechanism that allows connection edges to rotate and match perfectly. This mechanical substitution enables precise face alignment while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge member allows the connection edges to dynamically adjust their relative positions through rotation. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures that faces align precisely without gaps, while the hinge itself maintains a compact structure that doesn't significantly increase overall dimensions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a wear-resistant connection that prevents unintended gaps, allowing for smooth coupling and forming a single body without additional constraints, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
two cubes hinged together can mutually move by rotating around a common axis of rotation, parallel and not coinciding with the respective connection edges
Data Source
AI summary
A polyhedron (100) configured to be removably coupled by shape with another polyhedron (200) to form a Yoshimoto cube (1), such polyhedron (100) comprising: eight half-cubes (101, 102) equal to each other, each of which being delimited by three outer faces (1011, 1012, 1013), having a substantially square configuration, arranged orthogonally to each other whereby each outer face (1011, 1012, 1013) is delimited by two edges (10111, 10112) in common with the other outer faces (1012, 1013) and two free edges (10113, 10114), and by 6 inner faces (1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019), having a substantially triangular configuration, wherein each inner face (1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019) extends between a vertex (V), in common with the other inner faces of the half-cube (101), substantially coinciding with the geometric centre of a cube delimited by said three outer faces (1011, 1012, 1013), and a respective base, corresponding to a free edge (10113) between two free edges of one of said outer faces (1011, 1012, 1013); and eight hinge members (300), each configured to connect a free edge (10113, 10113′) of each half-cube (101, 101′) with a free edge (10113′, 10113) of another half-cube (101′, 101) adjacent thereto, wherein each hinge member (300) comprises at least one axis of rotation (301) around which the two half-cubes (101,101′) connected by such hinge member (300) may mutually move; characterized in that each hinge member (300) of such polyhedron (100): extends along each of the two free edges (10113, 10113′) of the two respective adjacent half-cubes (101, 101′) connected by the hinge member (300), starting from a same end of each free edge (10113, 10113′) of the two free edges and for an overall length lower than the length of each free edge (10113, 10113′), optionally substantially other than or equal to half the length of each free edge (10113, 10113′), defines an axis of rotation (301) parallel to each free edge (10113, 10113′), and allows a mutual angular movement between the two respective adjacent half-cubes (101, 101′) connected by it, comprised between a first configuration, wherein the outer faces delimited by the respective free edges (10113, 10113′), at which the connection with the hinge member (300) is made, match, and the corresponding portions of the respective free edges (10113, 10113′) which are not connected by the hinge member (300) delimit a first housing seat (3021), configured to support a possible corresponding hinge member (400) of the other polyhedron (200); and a second configuration, wherein the outer faces delimited by the respective free edges at which the connection is made are thereby arranged along a same plane, spaced apart from each other, and thus delimit, between the respective free edges at which the connection with the hinge member (300) is made, a second housing seat (3022) configured to house, substantially to size, a possible corresponding hinge member (400) of the other polyhedron (200).