Customizable Building Blocks With Rotatable Connector Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interconnecting building blocks are limited in their modes of connection, requiring significant planning and are not customizable or reconfigurable, leading to restricted structural possibilities and the inability to modify structures on an ad hoc basis.
Innovation Solution
The development of customizable and reconfigurable building blocks that allow each face to be modified to include male and/or female connectors, enabling blocks to be connected on all sides and faces, with half blocks that can be rotated and reattached to change connector configurations, and featuring unique connector designs for offset and rotational interconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If basic interconnecting blocks with fixed male/female features are used, then manufacturing is simple and production is efficient, but the blocks cannot be reconfigured or customized after assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The block is divided into multiple segments or modules, each capable of independent configuration. This allows the block to be assembled in different orientations and configurations after initial assembly, enabling reconfigurability while maintaining efficient manufacturing of individual standardized segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnection features are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing blocks to be connected in multiple ways and reconfigured as needed. The connection mechanism enables both stable assembly and future reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between assembly efficiency and adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If blocks are designed with permanent interconnection features on specific faces, then connection stability is achieved, but structural versatility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The block design incorporates universal interconnection features that can function in multiple positions and orientations. The same connection mechanism can be used on different faces and for different connection types (permanent and temporary), allowing a single block design to serve multiple structural roles while maintaining stability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnection parameters (such as connection strength, orientation requirements, and feature positions) can be changed or adjusted based on the specific structural requirements. This allows the system to transition between stable permanent connections and flexible reconfigurable connections as needed, achieving both stability and versatility.
3Manufacturing precision
If male and female features are fixed on specific surfaces, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but the ability to connect blocks in multiple configurations is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection features are distributed across multiple dimensions and surfaces of the block rather than being confined to a single plane. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows blocks to be connected in various orientations and configurations while maintaining precise manufacturing of each individual feature, as each feature can be manufactured with standard precision tools.
4Device complexity
If blocks are designed as single integrated units with fixed connection features, then device complexity is minimized, but adaptability and reconfigurability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The block is segmented into functional components with dedicated connection features, allowing for both simple manufacturing of individual segments and complex reconfiguration of the overall structure. This segmentation enables adaptability without requiring each individual block to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The block design includes more connection features than a minimal single configuration would require, providing excess connectivity options that enable multiple configurations. This partial excess action allows for future reconfiguration and customization without requiring the block to be completely complex from the start.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides customizable building blocks comprising two “half” blocks that may be interconnected to form a “whole” block, allowing for the half blocks to be rotated and reattached to one another, thus changing the configuration and orientation of male and female connectors on the outer faces of the whole blocks. In a preferred embodiment, two half blocks combine to form a whole block, with each half block having an inner face, and outer face, and a plurality of side faces. The orientation of each half block when conjoined with another half block determines the number and orientation of male and female connectors on the outer faces of a whole block. The feature of conjoining two half blocks to create a whole block allows for the male and female connectors to be moved to different faces of the block depending on the desired building function and orientation.