Toy Block Magnetic Coupling Guide Rotation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toy blocks face limitations in assembly due to shape constraints and inconsistent magnetic coupling, particularly with spherical blocks and magnetic toy blocks that incorrectly couple or fail to couple when poles are the same or misaligned.

Innovation Solution

A toy block design featuring a main body with accommodation spaces for plate-shaped magnetic bodies having different polarities, guided by arch-shaped main guides and perpendicular sub guides to ensure stable rotation and correct polarity alignment for strong magnetic coupling, allowing for versatile assembly with various shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnetic bodies are disposed at the outsides or insides of blocks for bonding, then toy blocks can be coupled magnetically, but they fail to couple when poles are the same or couple incorrectly when magnetic body locations are dislocated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidassembly accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning guide protrusions and guide grooves on the magnetic bodies before assembly. These guide features are预先 configured to automatically align the magnetic bodies during the assembly process, ensuring that opposite polarity surfaces face each other correctly before magnetic coupling occurs. This prevents incorrect coupling when poles are the same and ensures reliable assembly even when blocks are handled freely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If protrusions and coupling grooves are used for engagement, then toy blocks can be coupled mechanically, but the block shape is limited and spherical blocks cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape versatilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical protrusion-groove engagement system with a magnetic coupling system. Instead of using mechanical interlocking features that require specific geometric shapes, the invention uses magnetic attraction forces that can act through any shape. The magnetic bodies are embedded within or on the surface of blocks of various shapes (including spherical blocks), allowing universal magnetic coupling without requiring shape-specific engagement features.

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

3Force

If magnetic bodies are used for coupling, then assembly is simplified, but the coupling strength is insufficient when poles are misaligned or the same

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic coupling forceVSAvoidcoupling consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guide protrusions and guide grooves as intermediary mechanical features that mediate between the magnetic bodies and the assembly process. These guide features physically constrain the relative positioning of magnetic bodies, ensuring that opposite polarity surfaces are properly aligned before magnetic attraction takes full effect. This intermediary mechanism prevents same-pole coupling and ensures consistent, strong magnetic coupling by maintaining correct orientation throughout the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables stable and strong coupling of toy blocks regardless of shape, minimizing incorrect assembly and allowing for easy assembly of blocks with different shapes, including spherical forms, without the need for separate engaging members.

Implementation Method 1

toy blocks having a method of bonding to each other by magnetic forces of magnetic bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the first surface or the second surface of the plate-shaped magnetic body is seated on the base surface... guide rotation of the plate-shaped magnetic body such that the other one of said first and second surfaces of the plate-shaped magnetic body is seated on the base surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic polarity alignment: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3689430B1Toy block
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 GYMWORLD
  • EP3689430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689430B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3689430B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a toy block, and the toy block includes a main body, a plate-shaped magnetic body located in an accommodation space in the main body and including a first surface and a second surface having different polarities, and a guide part disposed in the accommodation space and configured to guide rotation of the plate-shaped magnetic body.