Dice Cup Lip and Surface Design for Noise Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dice cups either have complex production processes due to specialized stop elements or lack the necessary pliability and noise damping, making them difficult to clean, prone to slipping, and not durable enough for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A dice cup with a one-piece design featuring a tapered inward lip and a rough surface structure on both the inner and outer walls, made from thermoplastic elastomer, which enhances rolling motion, noise damping, and grip, while being easy to clean and stackable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If special stop elements are formed in the cup base area, then noise damping is improved, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex stop elements from the cup base and replaces them with a simple lip structure at the cup opening. This extracts the noise-damping function from the base area and relocates it to the rim area, simplifying production while maintaining the noise damping effect through the lip's geometric shape alone
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the lip structure (height, thickness, curvature radius) to optimize noise damping performance. By adjusting these parameters, the lip creates effective sound reflection and damping without requiring complex internal structures or additional components
2Reliability
If the cup is made rigid for durability, then service life is improved, but pliability for gripping dice is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a thin-walled cup structure with optimized wall thickness that maintains overall rigidity for durability while allowing localized flexibility at the lip area. The thin walls enable the lip to deform elastically during dice gripping operations, providing the necessary pliability without compromising the cup's structural integrity and service life
3Ease of repair
If the inner surface is smooth for easy cleaning, then ease of maintenance is improved, but rolling motion of dice is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface qualities to different areas: the inner surface is kept smooth for easy cleaning, while the lip structure incorporates specific geometric features (curvature, thickness variations) that create optimal rolling conditions. The lip's three-dimensional geometry provides the necessary friction and guidance for dice rolling without requiring the entire inner surface to be rough
4Shape
If the outer surface is smooth for good appearance, then aesthetic quality is improved, but grip prevention is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention maintains a smooth outer surface for aesthetic appeal while adding localized grip features such as vertical grooves or flutes on the outer wall. These localized structures provide finger grip points for holding the cup during dice operations, preventing slipping without compromising the overall smooth appearance and tactile quality of the cup
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 provides a durable, easy-to-clean, and stackable dice cup that effectively dampens noise, enhances rolling motion, and prevents slipping, ensuring a long service life and efficient dice handling.
Implementation Method 1
the inner wall surface of at least the side wall of the cup has a rough surface structure
Implementation Method 2
made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)... shaking noises are dampened by the material itself
Implementation Method 3
the outer wall surface of the side wall of the cup has a rough surface structure... A good haptic on the outer surface of the cup shall prevent slipping with the hand
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cup for games, particularly a dice cup. This comprises a base and a circumferential side wall. The cup is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). At its upper, inner rim edge, the cup has an inwardly facing lip that is formed integrally with the cup. In addition, the invention relates to a lid for this cup and to a system comprising a plurality of stackable cups, in particular dice cups.