Modular Marble Game Board with Segmented Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marble game boards are not suitable for indoor play, cannot accommodate multiple players simultaneously, and lack modularity to prevent repetitive gameplay, making them inflexible and difficult to store and transport.
Innovation Solution
A modular marble game board with a two-dimensional network of cavities on a transparent surface, featuring truncated cone-shaped cavities for controlled ball movement, a peripheral stop to prevent ball exit, and reversible fixing means for easy assembly and disassembly of removable modules, allowing for customizable game variants and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional marble game board is used, then the game can be played outdoors on the ground, but it cannot be played indoors or in small spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The game board is divided into multiple detachable modules that can be assembled together to form different configurations. This segmentation allows the game to be compact for indoor storage while providing sufficient playing area when assembled, resolving the contradiction between portability and playability space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional ground-based game to a three-dimensional vertical structure with modules that can be stacked and assembled in multiple dimensions. This allows the game to occupy minimal floor space while providing extensive playing surfaces through vertical arrangement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed game board is used, then the game structure is stable, but it cannot accommodate multiple players simultaneously or prevent repetitive gameplay
Solution Approach 1:
The board is segmented into standardized modules with uniform connection interfaces. This allows different numbers and arrangements of modules to be assembled, creating varied game paths and configurations for multiple players while maintaining structural stability through consistent connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables dynamic reconfiguration of the game board between plays. Players can change the arrangement, number, and orientation of modules to create different game variants, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adaptable system that prevents repetitive gameplay.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large game board is used to accommodate multiple players, then gameplay variety increases, but the board becomes difficult to transport and store
Solution Approach 1:
The large game board required for multiple players is segmented into smaller standardized modules. These modules can be easily transported and stored separately, then assembled together when needed to create the full multi-player board, resolving the contradiction between board size and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows smaller modules to be nested within or attached to larger module structures during storage and transport. This nesting capability enables the complete multi-player game board to be compacted into a small package that is easy to handle and store.
4Speed
If cavities are placed close together to slow ball movement, then ball control improves, but the board surface area required decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity distribution is optimized locally within each module to achieve appropriate ball speed control. By carefully designing the spacing and arrangement of cavities in specific zones, the game provides sufficient ball deceleration and control while maintaining compact module dimensions that reduce overall surface area requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
The invention relates to a part (11) comprising fastening means (51, 52) for fastening to another part (11) so as to form all or part of a ball game board. The part comprises a plurality of cavities arranged in a two-dimensional ordered array (2) on a first surface of the part, each cavity being designed to receive a ball.