Rotatable Player Figure on Game Board for Multi-Directional Ball Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Game boards with straight movement grooves limit the directionality of ball movement, restricting gameplay as the ball and player figures are confined to the same axis, reducing the degree of freedom in ball manipulation.

Innovation Solution

A game board design featuring a field plate with through-holes and rotatable player figures attached to manipulation levers, allowing the ball to be moved in various directions by adjusting the angle of contact and using a launching mechanism for enhanced gameplay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If straight movement grooves are used on the field plate, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ball movement direction is limited and the degree of freedom is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidball movement direction freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the conventional straight movement groove configuration with a radial groove structure that extends from the center toward the perimeter of the field plate. This dimensional reorganization allows the ball to move not only radially but also tangentially by combining radial groove movement with player figure rotation, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in ball movement directions without complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the ball and player figure are confined to the same straight movement groove, then the structure is simplified, but the ball can be moved only in a limited range of direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidball movement direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the ball movement function into two independent components: radial movement along the groove and tangential movement through player figure rotation. This segmentation allows the ball to achieve multi-directional movement by combining these two degrees of freedom, while each component remains structurally simple and easy to manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If straight movement grooves are used, then manufacturing is easier, but gameplay tactics become less varied and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidgameplay variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The radial groove structure combined with rotatable player figures introduces a new dimension of movement control that enables diverse gameplay tactics. Players can execute radial passes, tangential passes, and curved trajectories by coordinating groove movement with rotation, significantly increasing gameplay variety while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3466502B1Game board for a game that simulates a sport game
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 EPOCH COMPANY LTD
  • EP3466502B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3466502B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3466502B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A game board includes: a field plate; a rod-shaped manipulation lever disposed under the field plate; and a player figure which is disposed above the field plate and make a play on a ball located on the field plate. The field plate has a long through-hole. The player figure is attached to the manipulation lever through the through-hole. The player figure is movable above the field plate as the manipulation lever is moved in its axial direction, and is rotatable about a pivot portion of the player figure by a rotation manipulation on the manipulation lever. The field plate has, beside the through-hole, a ball holding portion to allow the ball to stay. Part of the player figure is capable of coming into contact with the ball staying in the ball holding portion.