Perforator with Patterned Punching Tools for Toy Building Sets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Toy building sets face challenges in efficiently punching holes in sheet materials to securely mount them on building elements, as existing perforators often require multiple steps and incorrect hole placement due to mismatched distances between punching tools and coupling studs.

Innovation Solution

A perforator with multiple punching tools arranged in a pattern matching the spacing of coupling studs, allowing simultaneous punching of holes at precise distances, and an adjustable mechanism for varying the number of activated tools, ensuring correct alignment and easy mounting on building elements with various stud configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a perforator with multiple punching tools is used to punch holes simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole punching efficiencyVSAvoidperforator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple punching tools (at least two, preferably four) into a single perforator body, arranged in a pattern that matches the coupling stud configuration. This merging of multiple punching functions into one device allows simultaneous hole punching at correct distances, improving productivity while the integrated design manages the complexity through functional consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The punching tools are pre-positioned in the perforator at specific distances that correspond to the spacing between coupling studs on building elements. This preliminary arrangement of the punching tools in the correct configuration allows the user to directly punch holes without needing to measure or calculate distances, thereby improving efficiency while the pre-configured structure handles the complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If punching tools are arranged to match coupling stud distances, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole placement accuracyVSAvoidpunching tool arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The punching tools are arranged with specific local qualities - each tool is positioned at a precise distance from others that corresponds to the coupling stud spacing on building elements. This local precision in tool arrangement ensures that holes are punched at the correct positions for mounting sheets, achieving manufacturing precision while the specialized arrangement becomes an integrated feature of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The perforator essentially copies the pattern of coupling studs on building elements by arranging punching tools in the same relative distances and configuration. This copying of the stud pattern ensures that holes are punched at positions that perfectly match where coupling studs will be located, achieving precise hole placement while the pattern replication becomes a straightforward design approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If all punching tools are activated simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole punching speedVSAvoidnumber of holes punched
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The perforator incorporates a selective activation mechanism that allows the user to dynamically choose which punching tools are activated during operation. The system can switch between activating all tools simultaneously for maximum productivity and activating only specific tools when fewer holes are needed, providing adaptability to different mounting requirements while maintaining high-speed punching capability when full activation is used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The perforator is designed to allow partial activation of punching tools - users can activate only the number of tools needed for the specific task (one, two, three, or all four). This partial action capability provides versatility for different mounting scenarios, while the ability to activate all tools simultaneously when needed maintains high productivity for full-configuratio

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2629866B1A toy building set
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 LEGO AS
  • EP2629866B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2629866B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A toy building set comprising at least one building element (6) having a surface on which at least two coupling studs (8) are provided that extend from the surface, and wherein those coupling studs are configured in a pattern by which there is a mutually fixed distance between adjacent coupling studs, and wherein the toy building set further comprises a perforator (1), said perforator comprising means for punching material from a sheet element configured from a thin material such as a sheet of eg paper, plastics or fabric, in such a manner that the perforator is capable of punching a hole in the sheet, which hole has such expanse that one or more coupling studs can be introduced into the punched hole. In that the perforator comprises at least two punching tools (14) arranged at a distance from each other to the effect that there is a clearance between the outer faces of two adjacent punching tools corresponding to or being smaller than the clearance between two adjacent coupling studs on the building element, it is rendered possible that holes can be punched in eg a sheet of paper to the effect that the sheet can be mounted on the building element.