Hollow Building Blocks with Integrated Storage Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building block devices require large storage boxes, consume excessive plastic materials, and are heavy, making them inefficient in terms of space usage and portability, while lacking variety in block combinations which limits gameplay innovation.
Innovation Solution
A building block device with 35 variable units, including a storage box and a building block group, where the base and top cover form a compact storage unit with a foolproof design, using hollow plastic structures to reduce weight and plastic consumption, and offering new combinations of 9 or 10 blocks for enhanced gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple building blocks and two bases are used to form pyramid and planar patterns, then the gameplay functionality is achieved, but the storage box size increases and portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first base and second base into a single integrated base structure with a storage tank. The building block group is stored within this integrated base, eliminating the need for separate storage containers. This consolidation reduces the overall volume of the toy set while maintaining all original gameplay functions of forming both pyramid and planar patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated base serves multiple functions: it acts as the foundation for assembling building blocks into pyramid patterns, provides a surface for planar pattern assembly, and functions as a storage container for the building block group when not in use. The storage tank bottom with locating grids and the top cover surface with locating slots both serve as assembly surfaces, maximizing the utility of a single component.
2Strength
If integrated injection molding is used to manufacture building blocks and bases as solids, then the structural strength is ensured, but the plastic material consumption and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hollow plastic structures for both the building blocks and the integrated base. The building blocks contain internal cavities, and the base includes a storage tank with hollow construction. These porous/hollow structures significantly reduce plastic material consumption and overall weight while maintaining sufficient structural strength through optimized wall thickness and geometric design. The hollow design allows the blocks to nest within each other and within the storage tank, further reducing material usage.
3Weight of moving object
If hollow plastic structures are used for building blocks and base, then the weight and material consumption are reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (first base, second base, and storage tank) into a single integrated base manufactured through one injection molding process. The hollow structures are created using standard injection molding techniques with built-in hollow cavity designs. The locating grids and locating slots are formed as integral features of the molded parts, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps. This integration actually simplifies manufacturing compared to producing multiple separate solid components that would require additional assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A building block device with 35 units as variable combinations, including a storage box and a building block group, the storage box comprises a base and a top cover covering the base, the building block group comprises multiple building blocks, the base has a storage tank for placing the building block group, the top cover can cover the base to conceal the building block group; the bottom of the storage tank is provided with 35 locating grids for the building block group to form a single-layer planar pattern, the surface of the top cover is provided with 15 locating slots for the building block group to stack up a five-layer trilateral cone, each building block of the building block group comprises one to five units, the units are connected at horizontally or vertically two-dimensional angles, the building block group has 35 units.