Toy Block with Embedded Spherical Magnets for 3D Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assembling toy blocks with embedded magnets are limited as the magnets are fixed at specific positions, restricting the visibility of magnetic interactions and creativity in three-dimensional building and disassembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a regular hexahedral block structure with embedded spherical magnets in the edges of upper and lower frames and pillars, allowing for free movement and rotation within hollow portions, enabling the blocks to be assembled into various shapes and forms, with protrusions and rails facilitating the observation of magnetic interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If magnets are fixed at specific positions in assembling toy blocks, then the joining force between blocks is sufficient, but the visibility of magnetic interactions and creativity in three-dimensional building is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the magnets movable rather than fixed. The spherical magnets are placed in hollow portions that allow them to move and rotate freely while maintaining magnetic joining force. This dynamic design enables children to observe magnetic interactions and enhances creativity in building diverse three-dimensional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the magnet from the block structure by placing spherical magnets in separate hollow portions within the blocks. This segmentation allows the magnets to move independently while maintaining the structural integrity of the blocks, enabling both strong joining force and observable magnetic interactions.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If magnets are embedded in edges of blocks, then magnetic interactions can be observed, but the polarity between magnets may cause assembly difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful polarity effect into a beneficial feature by allowing magnets to rotate freely in hollow portions. The polarity-induced repulsion or attraction that could hinder assembly is transformed into an observable magnetic interaction that helps children understand magnetic principles while assembling blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
By making magnets dynamic and rotatable within hollow portions, the patent enables them to automatically adjust their orientation to achieve stable magnetic configurations during assembly, reducing assembly difficulties caused by fixed polarity orientations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spherical magnets are placed in hollow portions to allow free movement, then creativity and observation of magnetic movements are enhanced, but the structural stability of blocks may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnetic function from the structural function by placing spherical magnets in dedicated hollow portions. This separation allows the magnets to move freely for enhanced creativity and observation while the surrounding block structure maintains structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific hollow portions with appropriate sizes and positions within the blocks. These localized hollow spaces provide freedom of movement for magnets in specific areas while the rest of the block structure remains stable and rigid.
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
This design enhances children's creativity and intelligence by allowing for the observation of magnetic ball movements and rotations, enabling the assembly of diverse three-dimensional structures while ensuring the magnets remain freely movable and securely assembled.
Implementation Method 1
eight spherical magnets of a ball bearing shape inserted into each edge of the upper and lower frames in such a fashion that assembled blocks are joined together in a wanted shape by the spherical magnets of various three-dimensional shapes in order to overcome polarity between the magnets generated when the blocks are joined together
Implementation Method 2
protrusions projectingly formed on upper and lower ends of four pillars and respectively inserted and assembled into the insertion apertures of the upper and lower frames
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a toy building block which uses magnets, and which is a combination building block toy and teaching instrument with embedded magnets, wherein on each of the four edges of an upper frame (2) and lower frame (3), an inward-facing insertion aperture (6) is formed to connect internally to a central hollow portion (7), a magnetic ball (8) is inserted in the respective central hollow portions (7), and a projecting protrusion on the top and bottom of four pillars are inserted in the respective insertion apertures; and inward-facing projecting protrusions (21, 22, 23, 24), (25, 26, 27, 28) on an upper frame (20), lower frame (30), and pillars (40, 41, 42, 43), are respectively inserted in insertion grooves (23′, 24′, 27′, 28′) and (23a, 23b, 28a, 18b) on respective rails (9, 9′) (11, 11′), (9a, 9b, 11a, 11b) to assemble blocks (1) (1′) (1″) (1′″), which are interconnected and used as a building block toy, or a random number of blocks (1) (10) (50) are stacked and assembled for observing the movement of a ball (8a) that rolls on a rail.