Infant Block Studying Tool with Hexahedral Assembling Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing block studying tools for infants are limited in allowing both simple straight-line and slantly-stacking plays, leading to inadequate cognitive development due to difficulty in assembling and disassembling, which can frustrate children and hinder educational effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A block studying tool with a hexahedral block body featuring protrusions and grooves on unit assembling portions, a cross-shaped divider with reinforcement, and protrusions for enhanced stability, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of sculptures in various shapes without being too easy or too difficult, enabling both straight-line and slantly-stacking plays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If blocks are made very easily assembled, then ease of operation is improved, but the educational effect deteriorates due to lack of challenge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoideducational effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The block body has different local structures: the upper portion has unit assembling portions with protrusions for easy connection, while the lower portion has a divided structure with grooves that provide stability and challenge. This local differentiation allows easy assembly at the connection points while maintaining educational value through the overall structural challenge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lower portion of the block body is divided into multiple sections by dividers, creating a segmented structure that requires infants to engage with multiple components. This segmentation provides stability while also creating a more challenging and educationally valuable assembly process compared to a solid lower portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If blocks are made with complex assembly structure, then educational effect is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates causing infant frustration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeducational effectVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If slantly-stacking play is enabled, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking versatilityVSAvoidblock structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unit assembling portions have asymmetric protrusions that can connect to grooves in different orientations. This asymmetry enables both straight-line stacking and slanted stacking configurations, increasing versatility without requiring multiple different block types or complex internal mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS9333438B2Block studying tool for infant

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 LEE SANG KIL

AI summary

A block studying tool for an infant, includes: a block body having a hexahedral shape, a lower portion of which is opened; and a plurality of unit assembling portions disposed to protrude from an upper portion of the block body upward and disposed to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other, wherein a divider is disposed at an inside of the lower portion of the block body and forms an assembling space in which the plurality of unit assembling portions of the adjacent block body are to be assembled according to positions.