Pixel Blocks With Rounded Fillets And Pressure Bars
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pixel blocks face challenges in structural stability, especially with small clearances and tight tolerances, and lack flexibility in incorporating electric lighting and varied shapes, limiting their versatility in creating complex two- and three-dimensional art pieces.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an integral pressure bar for enhanced panel stability, rounded fillet shapes for easier assembly, surface channel passageways for wiring, and the ability to create pixel blocks in various shapes and sizes, including polygons and special edge/corner blocks, allows for improved structural stability, easier assembly, and integration of electric lighting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If pixel blocks are assembled with small clearances and tight tolerances, then structural stability is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rounded fillet shapes are applied to corner edges that interface in initial inter-assembly, including the ends of tongues and grooves. This curvature facilitates the fitting of each pixel block into another by reducing stress concentration and enabling smoother engagement despite tight tolerances, thereby maintaining assembly ease while achieving structural stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If pixel blocks use basic square shape, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but design versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel block system is segmented into multiple shape categories (square blocks, edge blocks, corner blocks, polygonal blocks) that can be mixed and matched. Each segment maintains the fundamental tongue-and-groove interlocking mechanism for manufacturing simplicity, while the varied geometries provide design versatility for creating different panel configurations and artistic patterns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pixel blocks incorporate electric lighting elements, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel block is designed with universal features that accommodate multiple functions: the basic interlocking mechanism for structural assembly, integrated wiring channels for electrical connectivity, and mounting provisions for lighting elements. This multi-functionality allows the same block design to serve both structural and decorative lighting purposes, increasing functional versatility while managing device complexity through integration.
4Stability of the object's composition
If pixel blocks use only circular nub for stability, then structural simplicity is maintained, but stability under load is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure bar feature is merged with the existing nub structure on the tongue of each pixel block. This integration combines the point-contact stability of the nub with the distributed-line-contact stability of the pressure bar, enhancing overall panel stability under load while avoiding the need for completely separate structural elements, thus managing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Interlocking plastic blocks, trademarked as PIXELBLOCKS, are configured to serve as basic pixels, i.e. picture elements, in the creation of a variety of two- and three-dimensional graphic artifacts. The pixel blocks can be made in various equilateral polygonal cross-sectional shapes of designated length, typically embodied in an equilateral cube shape. All side facets in the outline of cross-sectional shape, e.g. four facets of the cube, are made identical, each facet configured with a tongue alongside a groove in a symmetrical complementary configuration such that adjacent blocks can be interlocked together to form one- and two-dimensional arrays; thus pixel blocks of uniform depth front-to-back can form two-dimensional artifacts. A 3D embodiment includes posts and post holes for Z axis attachment to form multi-layer three-dimensional artifacts. By utilizing the blocks in a variety of visual properties such as color and light transmission, quantities of pixel blocks may be interlocked together to form pictures, graphics patterns, beams and other artifacts, optionally enhanced by electric lighting effects for which the pixel blocks may be specially configured.