Linkage Brick Assembly Wedged Corner Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional linkage brick assemblies face issues such as excessive weight, complex assembly processes, inability to assemble simultaneously at multiple positions, insufficient engaging structure strength, and design flaws that lead to rain leakage and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

The linkage brick assembly features a unique design with traverse and vertical engaging protrusions and grooves that allow for lateral and downward sliding, enabling quick and efficient assembly, reducing the risk of displacement, and incorporating features like wedged corners and drainage slopes to enhance stability and water management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional linkage bricks use polygonal configuration with engaging structures on every side, then assembly requirement is satisfied, but the area of side faces becomes small which reduces the strength of engaging structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly requirementVSAvoidengaging structure strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The brick is divided into different side face types: first side faces with large areas for strong engaging structures, and second side faces with smaller areas. This segmentation allows the brick to meet assembly requirements on all sides while concentrating engaging structure strength on the larger first side faces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different side faces are given different qualities: first side faces have large areas suitable for strong engaging structures, while second side faces have smaller areas. This local differentiation optimizes the engaging structure strength where it matters most while still satisfying assembly requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If engaging recess extends long to form engaging structure, then engagement is achieved, but it forms an opening on the surface that causes rain leakage and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveengagementVSAvoidrain leakage and safety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging protrusion is designed to extend to the bottom face of the brick in advance, providing sufficient engagement length without creating surface openings. This preliminary extension to the bottom face ensures reliable engagement while avoiding the harmful surface openings that would cause rain leakage and safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If elastic latch is added to prevent disengagement, then linkage brick stability is improved, but difficulty in disassembling, exchanging or repairing increases because additional tool is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinkage brick stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging structure is designed to be self-locking through the interaction between the engaging protrusion extending to the bottom face and the engaging recess, providing stability without requiring additional elastic latches or tools. The structure maintains stability while allowing easy manual disassembly by simply separating the bricks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional linkage brick assembly is used, then assembly can be performed, but it requires taking all portions apart when erroneous assembly occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidreassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The brick design with differentiated side faces (first side faces with large areas and second side faces with smaller areas) creates modular assembly units that can be easily separated and reconfigured. This segmentation allows erroneous assemblies to be corrected by simply separating affected bricks rather than disassembling entire structures, significantly reducing reassembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design facilitates easy and fast assembly, prevents relative displacement of bricks, ensures even surfaces, and improves safety by allowing disassembly at multiple points and efficient water drainage, addressing the shortcomings of conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

a top face and an outer side face of each of the vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage bricks defines a wedged corner, and each of the vertical engaging grooves of the third linkage bricks correspondingly forms a wedged grooved portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

The traverse engaging protrusions of the plurality of second linkage bricks are used to engage with the traverse engaging grooves of the plurality of unit linkage bricks through lateral sliding respectively; and wherein the vertical engaging grooves of the plurality of third linkage bricks are used to engage with the vertical engaging protrusions of the plurality of unit linkage bricks through downward sliding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4219831B1Linkage brick assembly
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 JING SI PURELAND CO LTD
  • EP4219831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219831B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219831B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A linkage brick assembly comprises: a plurality of second linkage bricks (32), each comprising a top face (321), a bottom face (322) and four side faces (323,324,325,326) between said top face and said bottom face, each of two opposite side faces of said side faces forming a traverse engaging protrusion (3231,3251) extending laterally, and each of the other two opposite side faces of said side faces forming a vertical engaging protrusion (3241,3261) extending vertically; a plurality of third linkage bricks (33), each comprising a top face (331), a bottom face (332) and four side faces (333,334,335,336) between said top face and said bottom face, each of said side faces forming a vertical engaging groove (331,3341,3351,3361) extending vertically; wherein a top face (32411,32611) and an outer side face (32412,32612) of each of said vertical engaging protrusions of said second linkage bricks defines a wedged corner (32E), and each of said vertical engaging grooves of said third linkage bricks correspondingly forms a wedged grooved portion (33E); a plurality of unit linkage bricks (35), each comprising a top face (351), a bottom face (352) and four side faces (353,354,355,356) between said top face and said bottom face, each of said side faces forming a traverse engaging groove (3531,3541,3551,3561), a vertical engaging protrusion (3532,3542,3552,3562) and a traverse engaging groove (3533,3543,3553,3563) sequentially; wherein said traverse engaging protrusions of said plurality of second linkage bricks are used to engage with said traverse engaging grooves of said plurality of unit linkage bricks through lateral sliding respectively; and wherein said vertical engaging grooves of said plurality of third linkage bricks are used to engage with said vertical engaging protrusions of said plurality of unit linkage bricks through downward sliding in order to connect said plurality of unit linkage bricks.