Smart Magic Cube Ball Shaft for Accurate Position Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smart magic cubes suffer from high weight, complex assembly, high cost, inaccurate position sensing, and difficulty in rotating to predetermined positions, affecting recovery speed and player experience.

Innovation Solution

A smart magic cube with a ball shaft design featuring a rotating shaft sensing assembly on each printed circuit board, integrated electronic control system, and adjustable elasticity, allowing accurate position sensing and reduced lost steps without wire welding, and enabling smart restoration through a wireless Bluetooth module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional smart magic cubes use numerous electronic accessories and plastic parts, then the smart functions are achieved, but the weight becomes heavy and the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmart functionsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple electronic components (sensing assembly, control unit, Bluetooth module, battery) into an integrated electronic control system that is embedded within the ball shaft structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining all smart functions, directly addressing the contradiction between achieving smart capabilities and avoiding structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ball shaft structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the mechanical rotating component and the housing for the electronic control system. The sensing assembly, control unit, and power supply are all integrated into this single universal structure, eliminating the need for separate electronic accessories and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional smart magic cubes use wire welding for assembly, then electrical connections are established, but the wire layout becomes messy and quality risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire welding process with a PCB-based electrical connection system. The sensing assembly and other components are electrically connected through standardized PCB interfaces and connecting plugs, eliminating the need for manual wire welding. This substitution improves manufacturing ease while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If conventional smart magic cubes use face position coding sensor in center cover, then position sensing is implemented, but the structure becomes complex and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition sensingVSAvoidcenter cover structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the position sensing function from the center cover structure and relocates it to the ball shaft. The sensing assembly is now part of the ball shaft rather than the center cover, simplifying the center cover structure while maintaining position sensing capability. This extraction resolves the contradiction between achieving position sensing and avoiding structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional smart magic cubes are designed with many parts, then smart functions are achieved, but the cost becomes super high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmart functionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components into integrated assemblies within the ball shaft, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This merging approach maintains smart functions while lowering manufacturing costs by reducing part count and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The smart magic cube achieves accurate position sensing, reduces lost steps, is easy to assemble, and provides adjustable difficulty, enhancing player experience and recovery speed.

Implementation Method 1

A rotating shaft sensing assembly is arranged on each of the printed circuit boards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical rotation sensing:

Implementation Method 2

A magnetic positioning magic cube is created in response to the proper time and conditions. Magnetic force makes the magnetic positioning magic cube to be positioned accurately in 90 degrees when rotating.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic positioning: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4356985B1Smart magic cube with ball shaft
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 GUANGZHOU GANYUAN INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD
  • EP4356985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4356985B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4356985B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A smart magic cube with a ball shaft includes the ball shaft, six center blocks, eight corner blocks fitted with the center blocks, and twelve edge blocks fitted with the corner blocks and the center blocks. The center blocks are respectively arranged on a rotating shaft sensing assembly of the ball shaft. The smart magic cube with the ball shaft has a, clever design. Six printed circuit boards consist an electronic control system of the ball shaft. With each rotating shaft sensing assembly installed on each of the printed circuit boards, position sensing of the smart magic cube is accurate and a rate of lost steps of the smart magic cube is reduced. Further, the smart magic cube is not assembled by wire welding, has high integration, has a low cost, and is easy to assemble.