Playground Spatial Element End-Face Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing playground equipment for children and young people fails to withstand high tensile, compressive, and bending loads, is not suitable for outdoor year-round use, and lacks stability and safety features, particularly in windy and snowy conditions, while also being aesthetically pleasing and versatile.
Innovation Solution
A play device comprising spatial elements formed by supports and connecting elements where the connecting elements are fastened to the end faces of the supports, providing a stable and expandable structure that can absorb high loads without the need for cross braces or diagonals, allowing for seamless and force-fitting connections between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plug-in connections are used to connect supports, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength and stability of the connection deteriorates, unable to withstand high tensile, compressive, and bending loads
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into two distinct parts: the support element with connection means and the separate connecting element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the support can be manufactured with integrated connection features while the connecting element can be designed specifically for high-strength fastening, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection means are pre-formed as integral parts of the supports during manufacturing, with recesses and protrusions prepared in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex field assembly operations while ensuring precise fit and high-strength connection, simultaneously improving ease of manufacture and connection strength.
2Reliability
If the play equipment is designed to withstand high loads of 100 kg/m2 or more, then the reliability and safety are improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial elements are designed as universal modular units that can be configured in various arrangements to create different play structures. Each module is engineered to withstand high loads independently, and multiple modules can be combined to achieve the required 100 kg/m2 load-bearing capacity without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity, as the same standardized components serve multiple functions in different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The supports are constructed using composite material structures that provide high strength-to-weight ratios. This allows the equipment to withstand high loads of 100 kg/m2 or more while minimizing unnecessary weight and structural complexity, as composite materials offer superior mechanical properties compared to traditional homogeneous materials.
3Ease of operation
If the connecting elements are laterally attached to the supports, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the stability and safety deteriorate, creating injury risks and inability to withstand wind forces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of laterally attaching connecting elements to the sides of supports, the connection means are inverted to engage with the end faces of the supports. This inversion provides superior structural stability and safety while maintaining ease of assembly, as the end-face engagement creates more robust connections that can withstand wind forces and prevent finger trapping injuries.
4Reliability
If cross braces and diagonals are added to increase stability, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and aesthetic appearance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The unnecessary cross braces and diagonal bracing elements are extracted and removed from the design. The stability function is instead achieved through the optimized connection means between supports, which provide inherent structural stability without requiring additional bracing components. This reduces the number of parts and maintains clean aesthetic appearance while preserving reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
A playground device (1) for children and young people is claimed, comprising at least one spatial element (2) formed by supports (3) and connecting elements (4), each edge length of a spatial element (2) corresponding to the length of a support (3), the supports (3) being connected to each other at the corners of the spatial element (2) by a connecting element (4), the connecting elements (4) being attached to the end faces of the supports (3), in particular by screwing, gluing and/or welding. The playground device (1) may also include one or more play elements (5). A method for manufacturing the playground device (1) and the use of the playground device (1) are also claimed.