Modular christmas tree
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional artificial Christmas trees are bulky and environmentally unfriendly due to their use of PVC, requiring substantial storage space for most of the year and lacking in sustainable materials.
Innovation Solution
A modular Christmas tree design featuring interconnected side structures and central support structures made from wood or metal, using dowelled butt joints and cam nut systems for assembly and disassembly, allowing for compact storage and environmentally friendly materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional artificial Christmas trees are used, then the tree provides a complete Christmas tree appearance, but the storage volume required is substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The Christmas tree is divided into multiple modular components including side structures (3, 4, 5, 6, 7), central support structures (8, 9, 10), and connectors (11). Each side structure comprises elongate pieces (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the tree to be broken down into compact modules for storage while maintaining the ability to reconstruct the complete tree appearance when needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional artificial Christmas trees made with PVC are used, then the tree provides durability and complete appearance, but environmental harm is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The material composition of the Christmas tree has been fundamentally changed from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to wood and metal. The side structures and support structures are now made from sustainably sourced wood or recycled metals, eliminating the harmful environmental impact of PVC while maintaining structural strength and durability through the inherent properties of these natural and recyclable materials.
3Ease of operation
If the Christmas tree is designed as a complete non-modular structure, then assembly is simple, but disassembly for storage is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The Christmas tree structure transitions from a static, fixed design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The connectors (11) enable easy assembly and disassembly of the side structures (3-7) and central support structures (8-10), allowing the tree to be quickly taken apart for storage and reassembled when needed. This dynamic design maintains operational simplicity while enabling modular storage.
4Volume of moving object
If modular components with connectors are used, then the tree can be disassembled for compact storage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors (11) serve multiple functions: they join side structures to central support structures, connect elongate pieces within side structures, and enable both assembly and disassembly operations. This universal connector design reduces the need for multiple specialized fastening mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still achieving compact storage through modular disassembly.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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Figure 9~10
AI summary
The present invention provides a modular Christmas tree (10) comprising three or more sides (12) that rise from a floor to give the tree a tapering shape, and central support structures (14b) that extend outwardly to support the sides. Each side (12) comprises elongate pieces (16a-c) joined together with connectors that allow the series of elongate pieces to be separated for storage of the disassembled Christmas tree. Each central support structures includes a hub that supports each side, and may also comprise spokes that extend from the hub to each side. The hubs, spokes and sides are joined by connectors that allow the tree to be disassembled for storage.