Folding Toy With Pivoting Cubic Blocks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional building block toys made of hard materials are cumbersome and space-intensive, requiring precise adjustment of forces and directions to build shapes, which can be restrictive and stressful to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A folding toy composed of eight small cubes and connecting members, allowing for flexible rotation around pivoting shafts, enabling the toy to be easily manipulated into various forms such as a large cube or rectangular solids, with a compact size suitable for handheld use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional building blocks made of hard materials are used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for precise force adjustment and directional control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating pivoting shafts that enable rotational movement between cubic blocks. The blocks are connected through pivot joints allowing dynamic adjustment of angles and orientations, transforming the static rigid structure into a dynamic system that can be easily manipulated while maintaining stability through the mechanical connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate building blocks are used to create various shapes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the large number of blocks and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the toy into multiple identical cubic blocks, each with standardized recessed spaces and pivot connection structures. This modular segmentation allows blocks to be independently manipulated while maintaining overall system coherence, enabling various configurations through simple repetition of the same basic unit rather than requiring complex differentiating features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing all cubic blocks with identical structures - each block has the same recessed spaces, pivot connection points, and rotational capabilities. This universal design allows any block to function in any position within the structure, simplifying assembly instructions and reducing the cognitive load required to understand assembly rules while maintaining high adaptability for creating various shapes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of building blocks are used to ensure shape construction capability, then adaptability is improved, but volume occupied increases making the toy space-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by allowing the cubic blocks to be folded and nested within each other when not in use. The pivot connections enable the blocks to collapse into a compact configuration similar to an accordion or nested dolls, dramatically reducing the storage volume from the expanded state required for shape construction to a small portable form factor suitable for handheld use.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a toy. In some embodiments, the toy includes first cubic blocks (10), second cubic blocks (20), connectors (30), and pivoting shafts (40). For example, the first cubic block (10) includes a first recessed space recessed from a first edge to a first center of the first cubic block (10), and a second recessed space recessed from a second edge to the first center. The second edge is perpendicular to and does not intercept the first edge. The second cubic block includes a third recessed space recessed from a third edge, and a fourth recessed space recessed from a fourth edge. Each of the connectors (30) connects one of the first cubic blocks (10) and one of the second cubic blocks. Each of the pivoting shafts (40) connects a respective connector (30) to one of the first and second cubic blocks that is configured to rotate around the respective pivoting shaft (40).