TWI822403B - Support assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a support assembly, including at least two standard blocks, which are connected to each other and selected from the following groups: a first standard block with a first elastic constant and a first calibrated height, a first standard block with a second elastic constant and a first calibrated height. A second standard block with a first calibrated height, a third standard block with a first elastic constant and a second calibrated height, and a fourth standard block with a second elastic constant and a second calibrated height. Each standard block is made through 3D printing and has the same crystal lattice, and each standard block has a joint structure.

Description

Support assembly

The present invention provides a support assembly, and particularly relates to a modular support assembly.

Many daily necessities, such as seats, beds, pillows, shoes, etc., are equipped with internal support structures that are sufficient to support the use load, so that these products have appropriate support strength.

For example, the CN203244185U patent discloses a combined high and low pillow formed by combining different basic pillow blocks and external components (such as buttons). However, the above-mentioned basic pillow block is made of foam material rather than 3D printing, so it does not have a lattice structure, nor does it have the advantages of adjusting the softness and hardness and being easy to clean.

In addition, the CN113211797A patent discloses a sponge structure formed by 3D printing, which can adjust the hardness and deformation direction. However, the above-mentioned sponge structure is an overall structure obtained by establishing a basic unit after setting load conditions and 3D printing a sketch model generated based on the established basic unit. Therefore, it does not have a unit structure that can be joined to each other.

On the other hand, taking pillows as an example, although each manufacturer has different styles, designs and material selections, most of the products they manufacture or sell are designed with a single specification, that is, the size of each pillow is fixed, and the weight, Physical properties such as elasticity and softness are also the same. Therefore, when different users have their own needs, the flexibility in purchase and use will be greatly limited.

In order to customize the needs of different users, some manufacturers try to use 3D printing to produce an entire pillow body, and adjust parameters such as structural density and pillar size in the printed sketch to create non-homogeneous pillows. . However, when larger pillows need to be produced, a machine with a larger processing slot or processing platform is required to process them, which virtually increases the cost of production. In addition, when the objects being manufactured become larger, internal defects caused by insufficient yield during printing will seriously affect the quality of the product, and when users feel airtight, poor touch or dirty when using, the one-piece molded The structure is not easy to take out, replace or clean inside, which creates a burden on the user.

The inventor then devoted his mind to careful research and developed a modular support assembly in order to achieve the effect of corresponding to different use needs and local adjustment.

The invention provides a support assembly, which includes two standard blocks. These standard blocks are connected to each other and have different elastic constants. Each standard block is made through 3D printing and has the same crystal lattice. Each standard block has a joint structure, and each joint structure is fixed on other parts of the corresponding standard block.

Thereby, the support assembly of the present invention can be customized according to the user's needs through the combination of different types of standard blocks to respond to different usage requirements. In addition, since each standard block can be connected or disassembled through the joint structure, when some of the standard blocks need to be replaced or adjusted, it can be quickly realized, thereby achieving the effect of local adjustment.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1: Support assembly

100, 100’: standard block

100a: First standard block

100b: Second standard block

100c: The third standard block

100d: The fourth standard block

110:Lattice

112: Lattice Pillar

120a, 120b, 120c: joint structure

122a: Slider

122b: tenon

122c: Glue fasteners

124a:Chute

124b: card slot

H ₁ : first calibration height

H ₂ : Second calibration height

K ₁ : first elastic constant

K ₂ : Second elastic constant

L: lattice size

:長度

:Length

x, y : direction

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the support assembly of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of (A) the first standard block; (B) the second standard block; (C) the third standard block; and (D) the fourth standard block in Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of two adjacent crystal lattices in the standard block of FIG. 1 .

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the tensile curves of embodiments A-C of the standard block of the present invention.

Figure 5 is (A) a three-dimensional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the standard block of the support assembly of the present invention; and (B) a side view outline curve coordinate diagram.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the combination of two adjacent standard blocks in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the combination of two adjacent standard blocks in another embodiment of the support assembly of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the combination of two adjacent standard blocks in yet another embodiment of the support assembly of the present invention.

The aforementioned and other technical contents, features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. It is worth mentioning that the directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front or back, etc., are only for reference to the directions in the attached drawings. Accordingly, the directional terms used are illustrative rather than limiting. In addition, in the following embodiments, the same or similar elements will use the same or similar reference numerals.

Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the support assembly of the present invention, and Figure 2 is (A) the first standard block; (B) the second standard block in Figure 1 ; (C) The third standard block; and (D) The three-dimensional schematic diagram of the fourth standard block. The support assembly 1 of this embodiment is, for example, applied to the internal support structure of a pillow, but it can also be applied to components such as insoles, chair cushions, backrests, linings, etc. that require both support strength and contact comfort. The present invention is suitable for This is not limited. On the other hand, the support assembly 1 includes at least two types of standard blocks 100, which are connected to each other and selected from the following group: a first standard block 100a having a first spring constant K ₁ and a first calibrated height H ₁ , a second standard block 100b with a second elastic constant K ₂ and a first calibration height H ₁ , a third standard block 100c with a first elastic constant K ₁ and a second calibration height H ₂ and a second elastic constant K ₂ and the fourth standard block 100d of the second calibration height H ₂ .

Specifically, in order to correspond to the shape of the user's head or the amount of deformation required in different parts, the support assembly 1 includes at least two standard blocks 100 that are different from each other. The so-called different from each other refers to, for example, standard blocks. The calibrated heights of 100 are different or the elastic constants are different, or the calibrated heights and elastic constants are both different. In one embodiment, the range of the first elastic constant K ₁ is, for example, 3 to 15 N/mm, and the range of the second elastic constant K ₂ is, for example, 10 to 40 N/mm. In this embodiment, the first elastic constant K is used ₁ is 5.03N/mm, and the second elastic constant K ₂ is 33.46N/mm. In other words, under the same load, the first standard block 100a and the third standard block 100c with the first elastic constant K ₁ are better than the second standard block 100b and the fourth standard block 100d with the second elastic constant K ₂ . Large amount of deformation. After multiple experiments, it was found that when the ratio range of the first elastic constant K ₁ to the second elastic constant K ₂ falls between 0.075 and 1.5, these standard blocks 100 can be deformed separately while still being firmly connected. There is shedding. Thereby, the support assembly 1 can be connected to each other through the second standard block 100b and the fourth standard block 100d with stronger stiffness and the first standard block 100a and the third standard block 100c with weaker stiffness, thereby meeting different uses. contact and use needs of different parts of the user.

On the other hand, the standard block 100 of this embodiment is, for example, an elastic foam block made by 3D printing. The 3D printing process may be a DLP (Direct Light Processing) light-curing 3D printing process, and the material is It is polyurethane foam (extruded polyurethane, EPU). In this way, the printed standard block 100 can be porous, light, sound-insulating, impact-resistant, and shock-proof. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Other optional elastic materials or elastic materials can be used depending on the application products. Foam materials, or choose 3D printing technologies such as SLA (Stereolithography) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) based on accuracy and cost considerations.

Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4 , where FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of two adjacent lattice in the standard block of FIG. 1 , and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the tensile curve of the standard block according to Embodiment AC of the present invention. Furthermore, each standard block 100 produced through the above-mentioned 3D printing method can have substantially the same crystal lattice 110. The so-called substantially the same means that each crystal lattice 110 has the same crystal structure (face-centered cubic, body-centered cubic, hexagonal cubic, etc.), and have similar lattice size L and lattice pillars 112. In this embodiment, the lattice size L of the lattice 110 is defined as the center distance between the two lattice 110, for example, 9.5 mm, but in other embodiments it can also vary in the range of 8.5~10 mm; The diameter of the grid support 112 is, for example, 0.95 mm, but can also vary in the range of 0.9~1.0 mm in other embodiments. By changing the lattice size L and the diameter of the lattice pillars 112, the above first elastic constant K ₁ and the second elastic constant K ₂ can be adjusted as shown in Table 1:

Therefore, since each standard block 100 has substantially the same lattice 110, when the support assembly 1 is compressed or stretched from all directions, these same lattice 110 can evenly transfer the load to the entire support structure. , making the deformation amounts in all directions homogeneous and continuous. In addition, through 3D printing Not only can the finished product be obtained quickly, but the gaps between the lattice pillars 112 can make the product lighter, and the precision of the finished product can be higher, which can further improve the use experience.

Please refer to FIG. 5 , which is (A) a three-dimensional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the standard block of the support assembly of the present invention; and (B) a side view outline curve coordinate diagram. This embodiment is roughly the same as the embodiment in Figure 2 . The main difference is that the top surface of the standard block 100' in this embodiment is not a simple plane, but includes at least a part of the curved surface outline, as shown in Figure 5(A) Show.

Specifically, when connected to other standard blocks 100', the top surface of each standard block 100' may include a true plane, a slope, a curved surface (including a convex surface and a concave surface), or any other surface. combination, the present invention is not limited to this. In this case, the first calibration height H ₁ is defined as the average distance from the top surface to the bottom surface of the first standard block 100a or the second standard block 100b, and the second calibration height H ₂ is defined as the third standard block 100c Or the average distance from the top surface to the bottom surface of each fourth standard block 100d, where the bottom surface is the reference surface for installation and fixation of each standard block, and the top surface is the upper surface of each standard block for contacting the user. Taking this embodiment as an example, if the side profile of the standard block 100' is represented by the xy coordinate axis, then the calibrated height of the standard block 100' is:

則是標準塊100’在寬度方向上的長度。藉此，當各標準塊100’彼此連接時，支撐件總成1的上表面將不限定為複數個真平面的排列，而可以設計為不同曲面以及斜面的結合，甚至達到無接縫的程度，從而更進一步地提高支撐件總成1的使用舒適度。 where x and y are the directions of the coordinate axes that are orthogonal to each other,

It is the length of the standard block 100' in the width direction. Thus, when the standard blocks 100' are connected to each other, the upper surface of the support assembly 1 will not be limited to an arrangement of a plurality of true planes, but can be designed as a combination of different curved surfaces and inclined surfaces, even to a seamless level. , thereby further improving the comfort of the support assembly 1 .

On the other hand, in one embodiment, the support assembly 1 can be respectively disposed in different elements of the same article to achieve the purpose of supporting and buffering. For example, a pillow using the support assembly 1 may include a head pillow to support the user's head and a shoulder pillow to support the user's shoulders. By adjusting the type and height of the standard blocks 100 of the head pillow and shoulder pillow, The comfort rating shown in Table 2 can be obtained:

It can be seen from the results in Table 2 that the user's comfort level is not simply determined by the stiffness of the headrest and shoulder pillow, nor is it simply determined by the height difference between the two, but requires an appropriate combination of the two parameters to achieve the ideal result. Therefore, it is proved once again that the support assembly 1 is formed by at least two different standard blocks 100 connected to each other.

On the other hand, after multiple experiments, it is known that when the absolute value of the slope of the upper surface of the support assembly 1 (that is, the surface in contact with the user's head and shoulders) is not greater than 0.75, that is, the support assembly 1 With a relatively smooth upper surface, the user's head and shoulders will not feel an obvious drop or relative protrusion, which is beneficial to improving comfort.

In a possible embodiment, the above-mentioned support assembly 1 is composed of a single layer of standard blocks 100 in the height direction (as shown in FIG. 1 ), wherein the first calibration height H ₁ is smaller than the second calibration height H ₂ , and the height difference between the first calibration height H ₁ and the second calibration height H ₂ is not greater than 75% of the second calibration height H ₂ . In other words, in this embodiment, the height of the support assembly 1 is directly determined by the first calibration height _H1 and the second calibration height _H2 , and the first standard block 100a and the second calibration block 100a with the first calibration height _H1 The combination of the top surfaces of the standard block 100b and the third standard block 100c and the fourth standard block 100d having the second calibrated height _H2 is the upper surface of the support assembly 1 . Through such a configuration, when any area of the standard block 100 has an internal defect (for example, the lattice pillar 112 is broken) or needs cleaning, the user can immediately remove it and replace or clean it without having to replace or clean the entire block at once. Group items.

Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of the combination of two adjacent standard blocks in Figure 1. As shown in FIG. 6 , each standard block 100 has a joint structure 120 a for connecting adjacent standard blocks 100 to each other. Specifically, the joint structure 120a of the two adjacent standard blocks 100 can be a slide rail, that is, one of the standard blocks 100 can have a slider 122a, and the other standard block 100 can have a corresponding slider 122a. A slide groove 124a, whereby when the slide block 122a slides into the slide groove 124a along the extending direction of the slide groove 124a, the two standard blocks 100 can be connected to each other and achieve a locking effect in the joining direction. When the user wants to remove one of the standard blocks 100 for replacement or cleaning, he only needs to slide the two standard blocks 100 relative to each other along the extending direction of the slide groove 124a to unlock the two standard blocks 100 from each other. , quite simple and convenient.

Please refer to FIG. 7 , which is a schematic diagram of the combination of two adjacent standard blocks of another embodiment of the support assembly of the present invention. The standard block 100 of this embodiment is roughly similar to the standard block 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 . The main difference between the two is that the joint structure 120 b of the standard block 100 of this embodiment is a tenon structure.

Specifically, one of the standard blocks 100 in this embodiment may have a latch 122b, and the other standard block 100 may have a latch 124b corresponding to the latch 122b, whereby when the latch 122b moves along a fitting direction When inserted into the card slot 124b, the two standard blocks 100 can be connected to each other and achieve a locking effect. When the user wants to remove one of the standard blocks 100 for replacement or cleaning, he only needs to remove the two standard blocks 100 Unlocking in the opposite direction along the fitting direction can separate the two standard blocks from each other. It is worth mentioning that although FIG. 7 only illustrates the latching tenon 122b and the latching groove 124b with simple shapes, according to actual needs, the latching tenon 122b and the latching groove 124b can be replaced with other shapes, or even with specific fitting or The fasteners or hooks of the interlocking structure are used to relatively fix the two standard blocks 100, which is not limited by the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 8 , which is a schematic diagram of the combination of two adjacent standard blocks in yet another embodiment of the support assembly of the present invention. The standard block 100 of this embodiment is roughly similar to the standard block 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 . The main difference between the two is that the joint structure 120 c of the standard block 100 of this embodiment is a hook-and-loop fastener structure.

Specifically, during the process of making the standard block 100 or after completing the production of the standard block 100, you can choose to configure a fastener 122c on at least one joining surface of the standard block 100, where the fastener 122c is, for example, a The Velcro felt can be temporarily fixed to another standard block 100 with a similar specification of fasteners 122c on one surface by applying pressure, and can be separated by pulling force when replacement is required. This can also be achieved. The effect of quickly changing the standard block 100.

The present invention has been disclosed in preferred embodiments above. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that any changes and substitutions that are equivalent to the above embodiments should be deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the patent application.

1: Support assembly

100: standard block

Claims (9)

A support assembly includes two standard blocks. The two standard blocks are connected to each other and have different elastic constants. Each of the standard blocks is made through 3D printing and has substantially the same crystal lattice. Each of the standard blocks has a joint structure. And each of the joint structures is fixed on other parts of the corresponding standard blocks. The support assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the elastic constant of one of the two standard blocks is 3~15N/mm. The support assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the elastic constant of one of the two standard blocks is 10~40N/mm. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the two standard blocks have a first calibration height and a second calibration height respectively, and the first calibration height is from the top surface to the bottom surface of one of the two standard blocks. The average distance, and the second calibration height is the average distance from the top surface to the bottom surface of the other of the two standard blocks. The support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absolute value of the slope of the upper surface of the support assembly is not greater than 0.75. The support assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the support assembly is composed of a single layer of standard blocks in the height direction, and the two standard blocks have a first calibrated height and a second calibrated height respectively, and the third standard block has a first calibrated height and a second calibrated height. A calibrated height is less than the second calibrated height, and the height difference between the first calibrated height and the second calibrated height is not greater than 75% of the second calibrated height. The support assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the lattice size of the lattice is 8.5~10mm. The support assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the lattice pillars of the lattice is 0.9~1.0mm. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the joint structure is selected from the group consisting of slide rails, tenons and fasteners.