Toy Building Element Parallel Knob-Socket Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy building sets face instability in long and slender constructions due to frictional engagement, which is exacerbated by attempts to increase friction or interlocking mechanisms, resulting in higher force requirements for assembly.
Innovation Solution
The toy building set features knob and socket surfaces arranged in parallel, non-coinciding planes with identical distances and positions, allowing for stable assembly without increased force, using a combination of intermediate body portions and extensions with rectangular or square cross-sections, and incorporating various types of building elements with specific surface configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If frictional engagement is used to connect building elements, then assembly force requirement is low, but stability of slender constructions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling interface is segmented into two separate planes: a first plane with a knob and socket for primary connection, and a second plane with additional knob and socket for secondary connection. This segmentation allows the building elements to be connected at multiple distinct locations, distributing the stabilizing force and enabling slender constructions to maintain stability without requiring excessive assembly force at a single interface.
2Stability of the object's composition
If interlocking or snap engaging mechanisms are used to improve stability, then stability of slender constructions is improved, but assembly force requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges frictional engagement and geometric alignment mechanisms into a unified coupling system. The first and second plane connections work together, where the Knob-Socket interfaces provide frictional retention while the parallel plane geometry provides alignment and lateral stability. This combination achieves enhanced stability for slender constructions without requiring high assembly forces, as neither mechanism alone needs to be overly strong.
3Stability of the object's composition
If friction between knobs and sockets is increased to improve stability, then stability of slender constructions is improved, but assembly force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-plane coupling to a two-plane coupling system. By adding the second plane of Knob-Socket interfaces parallel to the first plane, the system gains an additional dimensional degree of freedom for stabilization. This spatial distribution of connection points provides lateral stability and prevents rotation of slender constructions without requiring increased friction or force at individual interfaces.
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 the construction of mechanically stable slender structures without requiring significant force for interconnection, leveraging frictional engagement and geometric alignment for stability.
Implementation Method 1
building elements are only attached to each other by frictional engagement
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~9
AI summary
A toy building set comprising one or more first building elements (1) having an integrally shaped body (2) and at least two plane knob surfaces (3) each being provided with at least one knob (4) extending perpendicular from the knob surface (3) and where the integrally shaped body (2) further has at least two plane socket surfaces (6) each being provided with at least one socket (7) each extending into a socket surface (6), and being adapted for frictional interconnection with the knobs on the knob surface on an identical building element, and where the two knob surfaces (3) extends in two mutually parallel and not coinciding planes and that the two socket surfaces (6) also extends in two mutually parallel and not coinciding planes, and in that the distance between the mutually parallel planes comprising the two knob surfaces (3) and the two socket surfaces (6) respectively, are identical, and the mutual position between the two knob surfaces (6) is the same as the corresponding mutual position between the two socket surfaces (3), so that it allows the knobs (4) at a first one of the two knob surfaces (3) to be inserted into the socket (7) of a first one of the two sockets (6) on an identical building element simultaneously with allowing the knobs (4) at a second one of the two knob surfaces (3) to be inserted into the socket (7) of a second one of the socket surfaces (6) of an identical building element.