Magnetic Modular Maze Assembly for Behavioral Research
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current custom-built mazes and research structures for behavioral and neuroscience studies are often made from inadequate materials like wood, leading to bacterial growth and safety hazards, and are not modular or easily customizable, resulting in high costs and replication issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular system using magnetically active components with magnetic edges, extensible joints, and a safe magnetic switch-connector system that allows for customizable assembly and easy cleaning, featuring ferrous stainless steel floors and walls that can be assembled into complex patterns, and compact diaphragm doors for space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-built mazes are made from wood and non-modular materials, then they can be customized for specific studies, but they lead to bacterial growth, safety hazards, and high replication costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using uniform, non-porous materials (acrylic, polycarbonate, stainless steel) throughout the maze construction. These homogeneous materials resist bacterial growth and can be easily sanitized, eliminating the harmful effects associated with porous wood materials while maintaining customization capability through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials combining non-porous, sanitizeable materials (acrylic, polycarbonate, stainless steel) with magnetic components. This composite approach creates structures that are both resistant to bacterial growth and capable of modular assembly, resolving the contradiction between customization and safety/hygiene requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-built mazes are constructed for each study, then they meet specific research requirements, but they increase costs and create replication problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the maze into modular, interchangeable components (walls, floors, ceilings, panels) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows different configurations to be created from the same set of standardized parts, enabling both study-specific customization and cost-effective replication across multiple facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal, standardized components that can serve multiple study configurations. The same modular panels and walls can be rearranged to create different maze patterns and operational chambers, allowing a single set of manufactured parts to support multiple research protocols and enabling easy replication without custom manufacturing for each study.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular components are used with magnetic assembly, then customization and cleanability are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the modular components: magnetic attachment mechanisms are integrated directly into the wall and floor panels, electrical wiring is embedded within the modular sections, and cleaning access is built into the joint designs. This merging reduces the apparent system complexity by eliminating separate systems for attachment, wiring, and maintenance.
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
The system provides a safe, customizable, and cleanable solution for research setups, reducing costs and enabling precise replication of complex patterns, while minimizing exposure to hazardous materials and electrical risks.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic joints
Implementation Method 2
magnetic switch-connector that is only electrically active when plugged
Data Source
AI summary
A modular assembly set system for use in modular constructions suitable for behavioral research made of a polycarbonate, acrylic or other material walls with magnetic edges, joints and parts with a support base (floor) made of magnetically active metal sheet glued over a plastic inert polymer surface (or one of similar inert properties). The system comprises a multi-piece set that allows the building of different mazes or structures for use in behavioral, memory and health sciences studies. The magnetic edges of the walls along with joints and other pieces attaches to the metal base (floor) and permits to modularly build any configuration. The use of this device can be extended to virtually any kind of modular construction (toys, provisional constructions, stands and other low weight assemblies). The walls and floor set can be used many times, and assemble and disassemble as required.