Simulated tree

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing simulated trees suffer from appearance instability due to deformation and dislocation of branches under external forces, leading to potential damage and instability of decorative twigs and leaves.

Innovation Solution

A simulated tree design featuring decorative units with obliquely arranged connection columns on the main trunk, pull rods connecting these columns to the trunk, and support tubes for structural reinforcement, along with stepped and tapered sections to stabilize decorative twigs and leaves, ensuring they do not slide down.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If branches are made thicker or reinforcing ribs are arranged on outer peripheral surfaces to improve appearance stability, then structural strength is improved, but decorative twigs and leaves must be changed in size adaptively which increases device complexity and manufacturing difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection column is divided into multiple sections: an upper connection section with a first outer diameter, a lower connection section with a second outer diameter, and a middle section with a third outer diameter. This segmentation allows different portions to serve different functions - the upper and lower sections provide connection interfaces for decorative elements, while the middle section provides structural reinforcement, thereby improving appearance stability without requiring uniform thickening of the entire branch structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection column features non-uniform diameter distribution with different outer diameters at different locations. The middle section has a larger diameter (third outer diameter) to provide local reinforcement where structural strength is needed, while the upper and lower sections maintain smaller diameters (first and second outer diameters) to accommodate decorative twigs and leaves. This local quality variation achieves appearance stability without requiring overall structural thickening that would affect decorative element compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If decorative twigs and leaves are mounted on branches, then aesthetic effect is improved, but under external force the branches may deform and fall off resulting in appearance instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic effectVSAvoidappearance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection column is pre-designed with specific geometric features including stepped sections and tapered sections that create natural stopping points and friction zones. The upper connection section has a first outer diameter that forms a stepped connection with the middle section, and the lower connection section has a second outer diameter that forms another stepped connection. These preliminary structural arrangements ensure that decorative twigs and leaves are mechanically retained before any external force is applied, preventing deformation and fall-off while maintaining aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4573978A1Simulated tree
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 ZHEJIANG MINZO NEW MATERIALS CO., LTD
  • EP4573978A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4573978A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4573978A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure provides a simulated tree, and belongs to the technical field of simulated decorations. The simulated tree includes a plurality of decorative units (1) capable of being inserted end to end in sequence, where each decorative unit (1) includes a main trunk (2a) in a cylindrical shape, a plurality of connection columns (2b) are integrally arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the main trunk (2a), and the connection columns (2b) are obliquely arranged from inside to outside in a radial direction of the main trunk (2a) towards a top of the main trunk(2a); and pull rods (2c) are integrally connected between all or some of the connection columns (2b) and the main trunk (2a) of at least one decorative unit (1), and joints between the pull rods (2c) and the connection columns (2b) are positioned in middles of the connection columns (2b). The appearance stability of the simulated tree is improved.