Modular Pad Oblique Edge Structure for Flat Interlocking Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular pads have uneven surfaces due to vertical sides with male and female protrusions, leading to easy depression and permanent deformation of engaged edges, lacking mutual support and flatness.
Innovation Solution
The modular pad features oblique sides with complementary shapes for accurate engagement, using flexible layers with varying hardness to prevent deformation and enhance support, and is cut using methods like vibrating, hot melting, or laser cutting to ensure precise alignment and material efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional modular pads use vertical sides with male and female protrusions for engagement, then the pads can be easily assembled, but the surface becomes uneven and edges become depressed and permanently deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the side profile from vertical to oblique/inclined. The first side includes a first surface extending from top to bottom and a second surface obliquely connected between bottom and first surface, forming a stepped configuration. This asymmetric oblique design provides mechanical interlocking that ensures surface flatness while maintaining ease of assembly.
2Device complexity
If conventional modular pads have independently aligned edges in vertical direction, then the structure is simple, but the edges cannot provide mutual support and become easily depressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical alignment to oblique/inclined alignment at an angle. This dimensional change in the engagement geometry allows edges to provide mutual support through the inclined surfaces while maintaining structural simplicity. The oblique first and second surfaces create a interlocking mechanism that distributes loads and prevents edge depression.
3Ease of manufacture
If modular pads are cut using conventional methods, then the manufacturing process is simple, but material waste increases and alignment precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the oblique first surface and second surface directly into the cutting process. By pre-planning and executing the inclined cut in a single operation using specialized cutting tools, the method achieves precise alignment and dimensional accuracy while minimizing material waste and maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular pad is provided, the modular pad includes a main body layer, the main body layer includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side, the first side includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface extends from the top surface toward the bottom surface, the second surface is obliquely connected between the bottom surface and the first surface, the first side surface is configured to be engaged with a second side surface of another modular pad which has a shape complementary to a shape of the first surface in parallel.