Sheet-Like Molded Body With Directional Bending and Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assembly blocks are not flexible and cannot bend in a particular direction, limiting their application in structures that require flexibility, such as bags.

Innovation Solution

A sheet-like moulded body composed of polygonal plate-like pieces with a connecting portion that allows adjacent pieces to bend and a coupling portion for connecting with other sheet-like bodies, enabling flexible structures like bags to be formed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If assembly blocks use rigid plate-like pieces connected by coupling pieces, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and bendability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet-like moulded body is divided into multiple polygonal plate-like pieces connected by connecting portions, allowing the structure to be segmented into flexible modular units that can bend at connecting portions while maintaining overall stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting portions are designed to enable bending motion between adjacent plate-like pieces, transforming the rigid structure into a dynamic one that can adapt its shape while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated connecting portions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If assembly blocks use separate coupling pieces for connection, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting portions are integrally formed with the plate-like pieces in a single moulding process, merging the connection function into the main body structure and eliminating the need for separate coupling pieces, thereby reducing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting portions serve multiple functions: they connect adjacent plate-like pieces, enable bending motion, and are integrally formed with the plate-like pieces themselves, reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining ease of assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3689431B1Sheet-like shaped body and structure including same
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 MIYAKE DESIGN JIMUSHO
  • EP3689431B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3689431B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3689431B1 patent drawingFigure 5A

AI summary

The present invention provides a sheet-like molded body that can be bent in a particular direction, and a structure formed by the coupling of such sheet-like molded bodies. The sheet-like molded body of the present invention comprises: a plurality of plate-like pieces; a connecting portion between adjacent plate-like pieces, the connecting portion being capable of integrally connecting the adjacent plate-like pieces and capable of bending in a direction in which the surfaces of the adjacent plate-like pieces move closer with each other; and a coupling portion disposed so as to be adjacent to at least one of the plurality of plate-like pieces. It is possible to couple other sheet-like molded body through the connecting portion. The present invention additionally provides a structure, such as a bag, comprising a plurality of such sheet-like molded bodies, wherein adjacent sheet-like molded bodies are coupled to each other to form a bag.