JP2000194294A - Three-dimensional shape forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a three-dimensional shape of large height without being limited to the thickness of the device. SOLUTION: The three-dimensional shape forming device comprises a surface type structure 2 constituted by connecting cells 11 to 13 and 21 to 29 having variation occupation area in two dimensions and a driving control means which selectively vary the occupation area of the respective cells and the driving control means calculates the size and shape that each cell should have from desired three-dimensional shape data and varies the occupation area, i.e., the shape of the cell according to them so that the cell has the calculated specific size and shape. Shape variations of respective cells are stacked, and consequently the cells of the surface type structure which is plane will be in a three- dimensional shape. This constitution makes it possible to represent the shape on the basis of data on a three-dimensional shape, so the shape can optionally be varied. The size variations of the respective cells are stacked to generate the whole shape, so a solid which is taller than the thickness of the structure can be represented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional shape forming device, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional shape forming device capable of forming irregularities of an appropriate shape at an appropriate position. The present invention relates to a three-dimensional shape forming device that can be widely used in many fields, such as a pop-up picture book, a tactile display device for the visually impaired, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus for forming appropriately shaped irregularities at appropriate positions, techniques such as sheet lamination, metal jet lamination, and optical molding are known.
These techniques are the means of making fixed products,
The shape cannot be changed. Also, it takes time to form.

Further, the applicant of the present invention has proposed a concavo-convex forming apparatus for forming a three-dimensional shape by appropriately protruding and retracting a large number of pins in a forest (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-94419, undisclosed). In, the height that can be displayed is determined by the stroke of the pin, and the height of the solid that can be formed is limited by the thickness of the device. Therefore, when the height is required, an increase in the size of the apparatus is inevitable.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional forming apparatus capable of forming a three-dimensional shape having a large height without being limited by the thickness of the apparatus. It is to be.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Action / Effect The present invention for solving the above-mentioned technical problem requires a cell having a variable occupied area.
The essential feature is to form a three-dimensional shape by dimensionally connecting them and selectively changing their area. Specifically,
It is configured as follows.

The three-dimensional forming apparatus comprises a planar structure in which a large number of cells having variable occupied areas are connected two-dimensionally, and drive control means for selectively changing the occupied area of each cell.

In the above configuration, the drive control means determines the size to be occupied by each cell based on the desired three-dimensional shape data.
The shape is calculated, and the area occupied by each cell, that is, the shape is changed so that each cell has the calculated predetermined size and shape based on the shape. Changes in the shape of each cell are accumulated, and as a result, the cells of the planar structure that have been planar change to three-dimensional shapes.

According to the above configuration, since the shape can be reproduced based on the data of the three-dimensional shape, the shape can be arbitrarily changed. Since the change in the size of each cell is accumulated to create the overall shape, a three-dimensional object having a height higher than the thickness of the structure can be reproduced.

Therefore, without being limited by the thickness of the device,
A solid body having a large height can be formed.

Preferably, there is provided an opening / closing force applying means for applying an opening / closing force for opening / closing a connection angle to a connection portion of each of the cells. When changing the occupied area of each cell, it is possible to select whether the formed shape is a convex shape or a concave shape.

In general, when the area occupied by a cell changes,
The connection between the cells can be displaced in two directions, ie inside or outside the device, but according to the above arrangement,
Since the opening / closing force applying means applies the opening / closing force between the cells, the direction of displacement of the connecting portion between the cells can be regulated in one direction. The direction to close the connection angle of the connection part of the cell (for example,
When the opening / closing force is applied in the direction of decreasing the angle inside the device), the angle formed outside the device increases, so that the cell forms a convex shape, and conversely, applies the opening / closing force in the opening direction. In this case, the shape becomes concave. Therefore, depending on the direction of the opening / closing force, it is possible to select whether the formed shape is a convex shape or a concave shape.

Preferably, the cell is a polygon having one end rotatably connected to each other and at least the other end of at least three arms. An actuator for changing an opening angle of the arm is provided.

According to the above configuration, a cell is formed by each other end of the arm. When the opening angle of the arm is changed, the distance between the other ends of the arm changes, and the shape of the cell can be changed. The distance between the other ends of the arms, that is, the length of the sides of the polygon of the cell, can theoretically be changed in a range from 0 to twice the length of the arms, forming a three-dimensional shape. The degree of freedom of deformation of the cell polygon is relatively high. The actuator can be arranged at a position retracted inside the device from the cell.

[0014] Preferably, the cell is a polygon in which each side is constituted by an extendable actuator.

According to the above configuration, the length of each side of the polygon of the cell can be directly changed by the expansion and contraction of the actuator, and the shape of the cell can be changed. Since the actuator is arranged in the same plane as the cell, the thickness of the device can be made relatively small.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views schematically showing the planar structure 2 of the three-dimensional shape forming apparatus. Planar structure 2
In the example, triangular cells 4 and gaps 9 are alternately arranged, and adjacent cells 4 have their vertexes rotatably connected to each other. FIG. 1A shows an initial state in which the cells are aligned on one plane.

The area of each cell 4 can be changed. For example, FIG. 1B shows three of the cells 11, 12, 1
As for No. 3, the case where two sides facing the adjacent cells are extended respectively, and as a result, a sharp projection is formed. FIG. 1C further shows cells 21 to 21 around the protrusion.
29 shows a state where the two sides facing the adjacent cells extend in a predetermined direction, and the height of the protrusion is further increased.

FIG. 2 shows how a trapezoidal projection is formed in the same manner. Cells 31 to 36 around one cell 30
As shown in FIG. 2B, a trapezoidal protrusion having the cell 30 as the upper surface can be formed by extending two sides of the cell 30 facing the adjacent cell. Further, with respect to some of the cells 41 to 45 around the two sides, the two sides facing the adjacent cells are extended, and the extended sides of the cells 34 and 35 are reduced to the original length.
As shown in (c), a larger trapezoidal projection having the cells 30, 34, and 35 as upper surfaces can be formed.

In this manner, an arbitrary convex shape can be formed. However, by providing a means for restricting the direction in which the cells bend at the connection portion between the cells, the concave shape can be similarly formed. it can. Furthermore, an arbitrary three-dimensional shape can be formed by combining the concave shape and the convex shape.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the structure of each cell element. As shown in FIG. 3A, the cell 4 has three arms 5, 6, each having one end O rotatably connected thereto.
7 is formed by a triangle having the other ends A, B, and C as vertices. The other ends A, B, and C are also connection points of cells, as described later. As shown in FIG.
7; If the angles α and β formed by 6, 7 are widened, the side AC and the side BC
And the area of the cell 4 is C
Expand in the direction. This is because the cells 11 to 13, 21 to 29, and the area whose area changes when the projection is formed in FIGS.
These correspond to states 31 to 36 and 41 to 45.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cells 4 are connected. Each cell element is configured in a direction opposite to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, and one end O _i, which is a connecting portion of the three arms, is initially connected to each cell, that is, the other end A _i , B _i , C of the arm. _i
Are disposed above one plane including The adjacent cell 4 is connected to the other end of each arm (for example, C ₁ , A ₂ ,
B ₄ ) are rotatably connected to each other. actually,
A wider planar structure 2 is formed by more cells 4. FIG. 4B shows three cells 5 as in FIG.
The state where the projections are formed by extending 1, 52, 53 toward their joining points C ₂ , A ₃ , B _{5 as} shown by arrows 92, 94, 96 is shown.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a part of a mechanism for opening and closing the arm. Two arms 8s and 8t that are rotatably connected at one end O and the other ends S and T are part of the cell
The two arms 8s and 8t are opened and closed by connecting and disconnecting the actuator K and expanding and contracting the actuator K as indicated by an arrow 96. As the actuator K, a known actuator such as a shape memory alloy or a bimorph using a piezoelectric element can be used.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each side of the triangular cells 4a and 4b is directly expanded and contracted,
The area is changed as shown by. FIG. 6 shows that the bent portions 61, 62, 63 are expanded and contracted with a shape memory alloy or a bimorph. FIG. 7 uses linear actuators 71, 72, 73 such as plungers.

In the three-dimensional shape forming apparatus described above, a three-dimensional shape having a large height can be formed by connecting points of cells without being limited by the thickness of the apparatus.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be implemented in various other modes. For example, the shape of each cell may be a polygon other than a triangle, or a shape other than a polygon such as a circle or an ellipse. Although the three-dimensional shape is formed by the connection points of the cells, a stretchable sheet member may be fixed to each connection point. The three-dimensional shape may be changed over time (for example, the appearance may be repeated in an oscillating manner) or may be kept constant for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part similar to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cell element.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view when cell elements are connected.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a mechanism for applying an opening / closing force.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a cell element according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of another cell element.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 planar structure 4,4a, 4b cell 5-7,8s, 8t arm 9 gap 11-13 cell 21-29 cell 31-36 cell 41-46 cell 51-53 cell 61-63 bending part 71-73 linear actuator A, A ₁ ~A ₆ and the other end B, B ₁ ~B ₆ and the other end C, C ₁ ~C ₆ other end O, O ₁ ~O ₆ end K actuator S, T and the other end

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A three-dimensional shape forming apparatus comprising: a planar structure in which a large number of cells having variable occupied areas are connected two-dimensionally; and drive control means for selectively changing the occupied area of each cell. 2. An opening / closing force applying means for applying an opening / closing force for opening / closing a connection angle to a connection portion of each of the cells, wherein when the area occupied by each of the cells is changed, the shape formed is convex or concave. The three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shape can be selected. 3. The cell is a polygon having one end rotatably connected to at least three other ends of at least three arms, and includes an actuator for changing an opening angle of the arms. The three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The three-dimensional shape forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cell is a polygon in which each side is constituted by an extendable actuator.