Toy Construction Set Pin and Fastener Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy construction sets, such as LEGO, face limitations in structural integrity and range of motion due to the use of plastic parts and friction-fit mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The toy construction set incorporates metal elements with specific design features, including construction elements with through-holes and grooves, and fastening elements like pins and fasteners, which allow for strong and resilient connections while maintaining flexibility and ease of assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If friction-fit mechanism with plastic parts is used, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple functional components: a pin with body and head, a separate fastener element, and groove features on construction elements. This segmentation allows each component to serve a specific function - the pin provides alignment and insertion, the fastener provides securing force, and the grooves provide positioning - resulting in both ease of assembly and strong structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The pin acts as an intermediary element between construction elements, featuring a body that passes through through-holes and a head that interfaces with the fastener. This intermediary component enables the transfer of forces between connected elements while maintaining the friction-fit advantage of simple insertion, thereby achieving both ease of assembly and structural integrity
2Ease of operation
If friction-fit mechanism with plastic parts is used, then ease of assembly is improved, but range of motion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid - the pin and fastener configuration allows construction elements to move relative to each other while maintaining connection. The grooves and through-holes accommodate positional adjustments, enabling range of motion and adaptability while keeping assembly simple through the friction-fit mechanism
3Strength
If metal elements with pins and fasteners are used, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin and fastener components serve multiple functions simultaneously: the pin provides alignment, insertion guidance, and force transmission; the fastener provides securing and retention; the grooves provide positioning and orientation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby achieving strong structural integrity without proportionally increasing device complexity
4Strength
If pins with members fixed in grooves are used, then structural integrity is improved, but external space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The member of the pin is nested within the groove of the construction element, with the member's thickness not larger than the groove depth. This nesting arrangement allows the pin to be securely fixed in the groove without protruding significantly from the construction element surface, thereby achieving structural integrity while minimizing external space requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A toy construction set includes first and second construction elements, a pin, and a fastener including a body and a head. Each of the first and second construction elements includes through-holes and grooves on two major surfaces, respectively, of the construction element. A thickness of each groove is substantially the same. At at least one end of each groove, an edge of the groove is curved. The pin includes a body having a cavity and a member. A first portion of an edge of the member is curved, and a second portion of the edge of the member is straight. A thickness of the member is not larger than the thickness of each groove. The member of the pin is fixed in place in one of the grooves of the first construction element when the first and second construction elements are coupled by the pin and the fastener so as to constrain the pin from rotating with respect to an axis of the body of the pin.