Turnable Module Building Block for Planar Assembly
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional building blocks with plugs cannot form a large plane due to fixed projections, which obstruct movable parts and hinder the creation of planar structures.
Innovation Solution
A building block design featuring a lower and upper housing with turnable modules that can be partially or completely received within receiving spaces, allowing for a planar outer surface and connection without projections, enabling the assembly of various structures like cuboid furniture or models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional building blocks with fixed plugs are used, then assembly is simple, but the outer surface has projections that cannot form a planar structure
Solution Approach 1:
The building block is divided into multiple functional segments: a body structure, multiple receiving spaces, and multiple turnable modules. Each turnable module can independently rotate and connect to adjacent blocks, allowing the outer surface to remain planar while providing multiple connection directions through the turnable mechanisms embedded within.
Solution Approach 2:
The turnable modules are designed to be rotatable within the receiving spaces, transforming the static connection points of traditional blocks into dynamic, multi-directional connection interfaces. This allows the connection portions to orient in different directions while maintaining a planar outer surface, resolving the contradiction between surface flatness and connection versatility.
2Area of stationary object
If traditional injection molded plugs are used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the projections block movable parts and prevent large plane assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The turnable modules are nested within the body structure's receiving spaces, with each module containing connection portions that can extend outward when needed. This nesting approach allows multiple connection interfaces to be housed within a compact planar footprint, enabling large plane assembly without increasing the external dimensions of individual blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection functionality is moved from the outer surface (2D plane) to the interior volume of the block, with turnable modules that can rotate to provide connection in multiple directions. This dimensional transition allows the outer surface to remain flat and suitable for large plane assembly while maintaining versatile connection capabilities through internal mechanical structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection portions are added to enable planar assembly, then assembly versatility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each turnable module serves multiple functions: it provides a connection interface, enables rotation to different orientations, and can be partially or fully received within the receiving space. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each connection direction, maintaining versatility while controlling overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple connection portions are merged into integrated turnable modules that share common structural elements and housing. The turnable modules combine the connection interface, rotation mechanism, and positioning features into unified components, reducing the total number of separate parts while maintaining assembly versatility across multiple directions and configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an integrated design building block with turnable modules inside, the building block comprising: a lower housing, an upper housing, and a plurality of turnable modules mechanism, the lower housing and the upper housing being fitted to form a plurality of receiving spaces, the plurality of turnable modules being disposed within the plurality of receiving spaces, respectively, wherein the turnable modules may be partially or completely received in the receiving spaces, the turnable modules each having a turnable module connection portion; the lower housing and the upper housing are fitted to form a body structure of the building block; a plurality of connection portions are provided on surfaces of the body structure; the turnable module connection portions are fitted to the plurality of connection portions on the surfaces of the body structure. The building block provided by the present disclosure has advantages of a simple mechanical structure and a low cost. The present disclosure further provides a building set.