Pop-up Slide Lock Mechanism for Stable 3D Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing social expression products, such as paper cards and pop-up items, lack a mechanism to easily transition from a flat, folded position to an upright, three-dimensional configuration without the need for external stands or bases.
Innovation Solution
A pop-up structure with a slide lock mechanism that allows one panel to slide along part of the structure, enabling the pop-up to move from a flat, folded position to an upright, three-dimensional configuration, and maintaining the upright position without external support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a pop-up structure is designed to stand upright without external support, then stability and display capability are improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into multiple panels (front panel, back panel, side panels, roof panels) that can independently fold and move. This segmentation allows each panel to contribute to the overall stability when upright while maintaining simplicity in the folded state, resolving the contradiction between stability and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed to nest within each other when folded flat, with the front panel containing the back panel, which contains the side panels, and so on. This nesting arrangement minimizes the structure's footprint in the folded state while allowing easy expansion to a stable upright configuration, addressing both stability and complexity concerns.
2Ease of operation
If a pop-up structure uses a slide lock mechanism for easy transformation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide lock mechanism is designed to be operated by the user's finger simply sliding along the elongate slot, which automatically engages or disengages the locking position without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. The structure itself provides the locking function through the interaction between the faux roof panel and the slot geometry, maintaining ease of operation while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate slot acts as an intermediary element between the faux roof panel and the main structure, allowing controlled movement and automatic positioning. This simple geometric feature mediates the transformation process, enabling easy operation without requiring complex mechanical components.
3Area of stationary object
If a pop-up structure is designed to be compact for storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but display capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The panels are designed to nest within each other when folded flat, creating a compact rectangular form that minimizes storage area. When displayed, the same panels unfold and extend to form a stable three-dimensional structure with significant volume and visual presence, effectively resolving the contradiction between compact storage and impressive display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure transitions from a two-dimensional flat configuration during storage to a three-dimensional upright configuration during display. This dimensional transformation allows the same components to occupy minimal space when folded while creating a substantial visual presence when unfolded, addressing both storage efficiency and display capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A pop-up with slide lock mechanism is provided which moves between a first position, wherein the pop-up is in a flat, unfolded position, and a second position, wherein the pop-up is in an unfolded, upright or three-dimensional (3D) configuration by sliding one panel along part of the pop-up structure.