Toy Building Blocks With Friction-Swivel Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toy building blocks, such as Plus-Plus®, lack functionality in allowing individual blocks to move freely within creations, limiting the complexity and variety of structures children can build, which restricts their imaginative and motor skill development.
Innovation Solution
A toy building block system comprising blocks with specific geometries and wheels, where the wheels have a hub with a hole that accommodates the block's protrusions by friction, allowing for rotational movement and increased structural variability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If building blocks are designed with simple geometries and fixed connections, then the structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but the blocks cannot move freely within creations, limiting structural complexity and variety
Solution Approach 1:
The building block is divided into multiple functional segments: elongate portions with end portions for connection, intermediate portions for structural integrity, and protrusions/voids for articulation. This segmentation allows each part to serve a specific function while enabling overall movement and complexity in creations.
Solution Approach 2:
The block design incorporates features that enable dynamic movement within creations. The protrusions and voids are positioned to allow articulation and rotation between connected blocks, transforming the system from static to dynamic while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If building blocks are designed with limited geometrical shapes, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the imaginative and motor skill development of children is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The building block is designed as a universal element that can serve multiple functions: structural support, connection, articulation, and creation of various geometrical forms. The standardized protrusions and voids allow the same block type to participate in diverse configurations, maximizing creative potential while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Strength
If building blocks use friction-based connections only, then the assembly is simple and reversible, but the stability and strength of the created structures are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions and voids act as intermediary elements between connected blocks. These features mediate the connection by providing both friction-based reversibility and mechanical interlocking through the geometry of the protrusion-void interface, enhancing strength without requiring complex connection 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 system enables a wide range of combinations and movements, enhancing the educational and intellectually stimulating value by allowing for more complex and dynamic creations, thus improving motor skills and imagination.
Implementation Method 1
the dimensions and geometry of said hole are adapted to the dimensions and geometry of one of said protrusions of said building block; so as to be able to accommodate said protrusion and thereby hold said protrusion of said building block in place in said hole of said hub solely by friction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a toy building block system (100) comprising one or more building blocks (200); and one or more wheels (300); wherein each said building block (200) comprises:a first elongate portion (2) extending in a longitudinal direction (X); a second elongate portion (4) extending in said longitudinal direction (X); an intermediate portion (6) connecting said first elongate portion (2) with said second elongate portion (4) at a middle position (8) thereof; a first end portion (10) extending in a transverse direction (Y), perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (X), from said first elongate portion (2), at a side thereof opposite to said intermediate portion (6), and at a middle position thereof;a second end portion (12) extending in said transverse direction (Y), perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (X), from said second elongate portion (4), at a side opposite to said intermediate portion (6), and at a middle position thereof;said building block thereby comprises six protrusions (14) and two voids (16), wherein each void (16) is being defined between an end of said first elongate portion (2) and an end of said second elongate portion (4).wherein each said wheel (300) comprises a hub (18); and a wheel rim (20);wherein said wheel rim (20) is surrounding said hub (18); and wherein said wheel rim (20) is being attached to said hub (18) in such a way that said wheel rim is configured to be able to swivel around a rotational axis (A) in relation to said hub;wherein said hub (18) at a centre (22) thereof comprises a hole (24) extending in an axial direction (A); wherein the dimensions and geometry of said hole (24) are adapted to the dimensions and geometry of one of said protrusions (14) of said building block (200); so as to be able to accommodate said protrusion (14) and thereby hold said protrusion (14) of said building block (200) in place in said hole (24) of said hub (18) solely by friction.