Building Block Plug and Socket with Deflectable Tongues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building block kits lack a connection mechanism that provides a secure and cost-effective way to connect blocks without high mold requirements, limiting design flexibility and production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of plug and socket portions with cantilevered tongues that deflect to engage, allowing for a secure connection between blocks with varying levels of firmness, while reducing mold complexity and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional snap fit connection or magnetic connection mechanisms are used, then blocks can be connected together securely, but the mold requirements and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: a plug portion with cantilevered tongues and a socket portion with corresponding recesses. This segmentation allows each component to be molded independently with simpler molds, while the assembled connection provides secure attachment through the interlocking tongues and recesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple plastic deformation mechanism where cantilevered tongues deflect and snap into place within the socket portion. This uses the material's elastic properties to create a secure connection without requiring complex mold features, effectively treating the connection as a simple mechanical deformation rather than a precision-molded interface.
2Reliability
If complex connection mechanisms are used to achieve secure block connection, then connection reliability improves, but production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cantilevered tongues are designed to deflect and engage with the socket portion automatically during the assembly process. The elastic deformation of the tongues provides self-aligning and self-latching functionality, eliminating the need for complex alignment features or multi-step assembly operations, thereby improving both reliability and production efficiency.
3Strength
If high mold requirements are used to achieve secure connection, then connection strength improves, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the elastic parameters of the plastic material to create cantilevered tongues that can deflect and engage. By changing the material parameters (elastic modulus, yield strength) and geometric parameters (tongue thickness, length, curvature) of the plug portion, the design achieves secure connection through controlled elastic deformation rather than through complex mold features, reducing manufacturing difficulty and cost.
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
This solution enables secure, detachable connections between building blocks with low mold requirements, improving production efficiency and design flexibility, and allowing for adjustable connection firmness.
Implementation Method 1
two cantilevered tongues 12 that are spaced apart from and deflectable toward each other
Data Source
AI summary
A building block includes at least one of a plug portion and a socket portion. The plug portion has two cantilevered tongues deflectable toward each other. Each cantilevered tongue includes a first engaging portion. The socket portion defines a chamber and has two second engaging portions. The plug portion and the socket portion are configured in such a way that the plug portion of one building block is insertable into the chamber of the socket portion of another building block, and the two cantilevered tongues of the building block deflect toward each other after insertion of the plug portion of the building block into the chamber of the socket portion of the other building block, which allows the first engaging portions of the building block to be engaged with the second engaging portions of the other building block, thereby connecting the two building blocks together.