Interlinking Assembly Device With Slots And Loops

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for creating three-dimensional craft objects from folded paper, foil, or plastic sheets are cumbersome, requiring dexterity, patience, and time, and often result in non-uniform and difficult-to-link units that necessitate sewing or gluing to achieve three-dimensional structures.

Innovation Solution

An interlinking assembly device comprising units with slots and loops that allow for multi-directional assembly, enabling the creation of three-dimensional objects by connecting two-dimensional sheets and bands, allowing for the construction of objects that extend in three dimensions without the need for folding or extensive manual dexterity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional folding methods are used to create three-dimensional craft objects, then the objects can be made from simple materials like paper and foil, but the process requires extensive dexterity, patience and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of creating three-dimensional objectsVSAvoidtime required for folding and assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The craft object is divided into multiple pre-formed units, each containing integrated slots and loops. These segmented units can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled together, eliminating the need for time-consuming folding and assembly of individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slots and loops are pre-formed into the units during manufacturing, before the final assembly stage. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming folding and shaping operations during the crafting process, allowing users to simply connect pre-prepared components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If individual assembly units are made by hand through folding, then the units can be created from simple materials, but they are difficult and time-consuming to make with uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of assembly unitsVSAvoiddifficulty of making units by hand

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The units are designed to be self-aligning and self-assembling through their slot-and-loop mechanism. The geometry of the slots and loops naturally guides proper orientation and connection, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and ensuring uniform assembly without requiring skilled craftsmanship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the manufacturing approach from manual folding to a process that can be automated through molding or cutting. This parameter change in the manufacturing method enables mass production of uniform units with consistent dimensions and features, eliminating variability introduced by manual fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If chains are formed into circles and joined by sewing or gluing to create three-dimensional objects, then three-dimensional structures can be achieved, but the process is clumsy and inelegant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional structureVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slot and loop features are merged into a single integrated connection mechanism. The slot in one unit directly receives the loop from another unit, combining the functions of connection and structural formation into one simple action, eliminating the need for separate sewing or gluing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from linear chain assembly to three-dimensional construction by adding vertical stacking capability. Units can be connected not only in a single file but also stacked in multiple layers, enabling three-dimensional object formation while maintaining the simplicity of the connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If all links are folded from paper, plastic or foil wrappers, then the craft objects can be made from simple materials, but the units slip and have problems with uniformity making them difficult to link together

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of connectionsVSAvoiduniformity of units

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the friction-based connection of folded links with a mechanical interlocking system using slots and loops. The loop passes through the slot and engages in a positive mechanical fit, eliminating slippage and providing reliable, slip-free connections that maintain uniformity under load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9878260B1Interlinking assembly device

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 CHEN CECILIA

AI summary

An interlinking assembly device for generating three-dimensional objects. The device includes a unit having a pair of wings and at least one loop. The wings have slots that can accept a wing from another unit. The at least one loop can also accept a wing from another device, allowing multiple rows to be linked and extend in three dimensions. A kit includes more than one unit and can include more than one embodiment of the unit.