Toy Block With Cylindrical Projections For Multi-Directional Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toy blocks have limited shape creation capabilities and restricted assembly freedom, as they can only be extended vertically, requiring careful consideration of block order and combination for complex shapes.
Innovation Solution
The toy block design includes a base section with a parallelepiped shape and cylindrical projections on the roof and lateral walls, with specific diameter and height ratios, allowing for interlocking and enabling assembly in both vertical and horizontal directions, thereby increasing assembly freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cylindrical projections are added to lateral walls to enable horizontal assembly, then assembly freedom is improved, but the risk of collision between vertical and horizontal projections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the wall thickness non-uniform, specifically increasing it at the bottom portion where horizontal cylindrical projections are located. This localized thickening prevents collision between vertical and horizontal projections while maintaining the overall block structure and enabling assembly freedom in multiple directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the collision issue by transitioning from a two-dimensional projection plane to a three-dimensional solution. By extending the wall thickness in the vertical dimension at the bottom portion, the patent creates sufficient clearance for horizontal projections to pass through without colliding with vertical projections, thus enabling multi-directional assembly.
2Strength
If wall thickness is increased to prevent projection collision, then structural strength is improved, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the wall thickness non-uniform, specifically increasing it at the bottom portion where horizontal cylindrical projections are located. This localized thickening prevents collision between vertical and horizontal projections while maintaining the overall block structure and enabling assembly freedom in multiple directions.
3Strength
If cylindrical projections have larger diameter to firmly hold blocks, then holding strength is improved, but space for additional projections decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the wall thickness non-uniform, specifically increasing it at the bottom portion where horizontal cylindrical projections are located. This localized thickening prevents collision between vertical and horizontal projections while maintaining the overall block structure and enabling assembly freedom in multiple directions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes: a base section configured such that, taking the unit edge length D1 to be 1 and a cube expressed as 1×1×1 to be one unit size, the base section has a parallelepiped shape in which one or more 1-unit sizes are conjoined, and is composed of an open, hollow face taken to be the bottom, four lateral walls 3B, and a roof 3A; and cylindrical projections having a cylindrical shape and provided on the outer face of one or more of the roof 3A and the lateral walls 3B, with a diameter D2 being equal to or greater than 0.4 but less than 0.6 with respect to the unit edge length D1, and a height being (1−diameter)×(0.4 to 0.5 inclusive).