Snap-Lock Construction Toy Connector With Bifurcant Cantilever Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional construction toys have limitations in angular orientation and stability due to smooth male and female connector portions held together by friction, leading to reduced stability and abrasive wear, with a need for multi-functional, multi-faceted, and multi-angular connectable components that provide greater stability and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A snap-lock toy system utilizing a receiving member with a thru-hole and a rod member featuring an engagement portion with bifurcated cantilever members and a locking member with a cap and interface portion, allowing for selective mating and locking of components to prevent decoupling, while enabling rotation or sliding engagement based on shape configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If smooth male and female connector portions are used, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional segments: a friction-fit portion for easy insertion and a separate snap-lock portion for stable connection. The male connector includes a shaft with a friction-fit end and a snap-lock end, while the female connector has corresponding receiving portions. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
A friction-fit portion acts as an intermediary element between the snap-lock portions. This intermediate friction-fit section guides the connectors together during assembly while the snap-lock portions provide the primary stable connection. The intermediary friction-fit portion facilitates easy operation without compromising the stability provided by the snap-lock mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If friction-based connection is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to abrasive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional segments: a friction-fit portion for easy insertion and a separate snap-lock portion for stable connection. The male connector includes a shaft with a friction-fit end and a snap-lock end, while the female connector has corresponding receiving portions. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
A friction-fit portion acts as an intermediary element between the snap-lock portions. This intermediate friction-fit section guides the connectors together during assembly while the snap-lock portions provide the primary stable connection. The intermediary friction-fit portion facilitates easy operation without compromising the stability provided by the snap-lock mechanism.
3Device complexity
If limited angular orientation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors incorporate asymmetric geometric features including polygonal outer walls and corresponding polygonal inner walls. These asymmetric shapes enable multi-angular orientation capabilities while maintaining relatively simple connector designs. The asymmetric geometry allows the connectors to lock at multiple angular positions without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
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 snap-lock system provides enhanced stability and versatility by allowing for secure, multi-angled connections and easy assembly/disassembly, addressing the limitations of conventional toys through resilient compression and decompression mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the hole engagement rib is configured to resiliently compress the pair of first cantilever members toward one another concurrent with an insertion of the engagement portion into the first hole end of the thru-hole
Implementation Method 2
the hole engagement rib and thru-hole are further configured to resiliently decompress the pair of first cantilever members away from one another concurrent with the hole engagement rib exiting the second hole end of the thru-hole
Implementation Method 3
the locking rib is configured to resiliently compress concurrent with an insertion of the locking rib into the first bifurcated portion of the rod member
Implementation Method 4
the locking rib is configured to resiliently decompress concurrent with the locking rib engaging the internal groove of the rod member
Data Source
AI summary
A snap-lock toy system has a receiving member with a thru-hole and a rod member having an engagement portion. The engagement portion selectively mates with the thru-hole and has a pair of cantilever members separated by a gap, each having a hole engagement rib to resiliently compress the first cantilever members to resiliently move the cantilever members concurrent with entering and exiting opposing ends of the thru-hole and selectively coupling the rod member to the receiving member by a friction interface. A locking member has an interface portion with a locking rib configured to selectively mate with the cantilever members. The locking rib resiliently compresses upon insertion of the locking rib between the cantilever members and decompresses when the locking rib engages an internal groove of the cantilever members to selectively prevent decoupling of the rod member from the receiving member.