Decorative and connectable display arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar-activated motion products are typically sold as single items, lacking the ability to be interconnected for creative and aesthetically appealing display combinations.
Innovation Solution
A decorative and connectable display arrangement featuring interlocking housings with a tongue and groove mechanism, including a solar energy source to drive decorative members in a predetermined motion, allowing multiple units to be easily connected and arranged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solar motion products are provided as single items, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability and versatility for creative display combinations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display arrangement is divided into multiple separate housing units, each capable of independent manufacture and assembly. Each housing contains its own solar panel, coil, and decorative member, allowing modular production while enabling versatile combinations through the interlocking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the housing structure with an integrated tongue and groove interlocking mechanism. This merging of connection functionality into the housing itself enables easy assembly of multiple units without requiring separate fastening components, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
2Ease of operation
If an interlock tongue and groove mechanism is added to enable adjacent housings to be engaged together, then the ease of operation for connecting units is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with a simplified tongue and groove interlocking mechanism. This substitution provides sufficient connection functionality while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity compared to traditional bolted or screwed assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue and groove mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking, eliminating the need for additional alignment tools or fastening operations. The geometry of the tongue and groove automatically guides the housing into proper position and secures the connection without external intervention.
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
Enables the creation of unique and visually appealing display combinations by allowing individual units to be interconnected, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and interaction of solar-activated motion products.
Implementation Method 1
a solar energy source supported in the inner support frame and for driving the at least one decorative member in a predetermined motion direction
Implementation Method 2
a coil supported in the inner support frame for receiving energy from the solar panel; including an attraction member at each base piece and responsive to the energizing of the coil
Data Source
AI summary
A decorative and connectable display arrangement that includes a housing of multi-sided form having opposed first and second sides and a bottom, an inner support frame that is disposed within the housing and including a cap member having an open top port, and at least one decorative member that is supported within the housing and extends upwardly through the open top port. The decorative member includes a base piece that is pivotally supported in the housing and a stem piece extending from the base piece and extending through the open top port. A solar energy source or panel is supported in the inner support frame and is effective for driving the at least one decorative member in a predetermined motion direction. The housing has 3 on opposed sides thereof an interlock tongue and groove mechanism that enables adjacent ones of the housings to be engaged together.