Building Block Module With Dual-Diameter Posts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building block toy construction sets are limited in their ability to provide multidimensional and multi-degree-of-freedom building capabilities, as they can only offer three building methods and face limitations in coupling between certain module sides, restricting the creative freedom of builders.

Innovation Solution

A multidimensional front-and-back-sides-freely-buildable building block toy construction set is designed with strategically positioned coupling short posts and ribs on module sides, allowing for friction-based coupling in various configurations, including between front and back sides of modules, enabling more flexible and free building methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional building block modules are designed with fixed coupling structures on front and back sides, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the building methods are limited to only three configurations and cannot achieve multidimensional free building

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding methodsVSAvoidmodule structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling short posts are designed with different diameters (first diameter on front side, second diameter on back side) to enable multiple building configurations. The same module can be coupled in various orientations (front-to-front, front-to-back, back-to-back) by matching the appropriate diameter posts, making the module universal for multiple building methods rather than limited to fixed configurations

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dimensional variation in the coupling post diameters across different faces of the module. By having the front side with first diameter posts and back side with second diameter posts, the system enables coupling in multiple spatial dimensions and orientations, transforming a two-dimensional flat coupling system into a three-dimensional multi-orientational coupling system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If coupling posts are designed with appropriate sizes for all sides, then multidimensional building is enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling configurationsVSAvoidcoupling post size control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different diameters are assigned to coupling posts at different locations (front side vs back side) based on local coupling requirements. The front side uses first diameter posts while the back side uses second diameter posts, allowing each location to have optimized dimensions for its specific coupling function rather than requiring uniform precision across all sides

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If multiple coupling methods are provided for front and back sides, then building freedom increases, but the hand feeling and coupling stability deteriorate due to inappropriate size matching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding freedomVSAvoidcoupling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the dimensional parameters (diameters) of coupling posts between different faces of the module. By setting the front side with first diameter posts and back side with second diameter posts, the system achieves both building freedom through multiple configurations and coupling stability through appropriate size matching, resolving the contradiction between operational freedom and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances the degree of freedom in building block construction, providing a richer creative experience with improved hand feeling and safety, allowing for a wider range of designs and configurations, including the ability to couple modules at any position, and enabling the creation of uniform, curved surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the building blocks are built by coupling the coupling short posts h on the front side of the module A, the coupling short posts i on the back side, and the ribs on the side wall on the back side to form friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3777986B1Multi-dimensional building block toy building component and set capable of being built freely on front and back sides
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SHANGHAI BLOKS TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3777986B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3777986B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3777986B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A multidimensional front-and-back-sides-freely-buildable building block toy construction set includes a first module and a second module. The first module is provided with a single, a single column of, two columns of or multiple columns of first coupling short posts (r) on a front side, and is provided with a concave surface on a back side. Multiple columns of protruding second coupling short posts (t) are disposed on the concave surface. The second coupling short posts (t) are distributed as follows: columns: uniformly distributed in the same columns as the first coupling short posts (r) on the front side, and in the middle equally dividing two adjacent columns; rows: in the same columns as the first coupling short posts (r) on the front side, each of the second coupling short posts (t) is alternately arranged with the first coupling short posts (r), and is located in the middle equally dividing two first coupling short posts (r). The first module and the second module are adapted to be inserted into each other. The present invention, through a smart structural design of the building block toy construction set, realizes four free building modes for the front and back sides of the two modules, which are easier to build different series and different designs of toys.