Interlocking Connecting Block with Protrusion and Recess
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting blocks are unstable when stacked, requiring precise alignment and are prone to slipping under external forces, limiting their stacking height and stability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates protrusion corners and inward recesses with matching surface contours, allowing for automatic alignment and stable stacking, with rotational symmetry and intersecting arris edges enabling staggered and secure placement, and varying densities for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If connecting blocks are stacked up by connectors or plug connections, then alignment precision is improved, but operation complexity increases and stacking convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting blocks are designed with protrusion corners and corresponding inward recesses that enable automatic alignment and stacking without requiring external connectors or precise manual positioning. The blocks self-align and self-connect through their geometric features, eliminating the need for additional connecting components and simplifying the stacking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting block is divided into functional features: protrusion corners on one surface and corresponding inward recesses on the opposite surface. This segmentation allows the blocks to interlock through simple insertion of protrusions into recesses, achieving both precision and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If connecting blocks are stacked up relying on gravity, then operation simplicity is improved, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion corners and inward recesses are designed with curved surface contours that match each other. This curved geometry enables the blocks to self-align during stacking while maintaining stable connection, preventing slipping under external forces. The curved surfaces provide gradual contact and distribution of forces compared to sharp angular contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion corner of one block fits nested into the inward recess of another block, creating an interlocking connection. This nesting mechanism provides both simple operation (just insert and stack) and high stability (the nested protrusion-recess connection prevents displacement under force).
3Reliability
If protrusion corners and inward recesses are designed with matching surface contours, then stacking stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion corners and inward recesses are designed with asymmetric geometric features that complement each other. The protrusion has a specific contour shape that fits uniquely into the corresponding recess, providing stable stacking. This asymmetric design ensures proper orientation and prevents incorrect stacking configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The matching surface contours are applied locally to the protrusion corners and inward recesses rather than the entire block surface. This localized geometric feature provides the necessary stability while keeping the overall block design simple and easy to manufacture. Only the critical connection areas require the precise contour matching.
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a field of object connection and in particular, relates to a basic connecting block and a connecting block group. The basic connecting block includes a connecting block body, wherein at least one protrusion corner is provided on one side of the connecting block body and same number of inward recesses as the protrusion corner are provided on an opposite side of the connecting block body, and wherein a surface contour of the protrusion corner is consistent with that of the inward recess, the protrusion corners are connected with each other and the inward recesses are communicated with each other.