Insert-and-Twist Building Blocks for Easy Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building blocks are often too tight to separate easily for young children after being combined, making it difficult for them to disassemble the structures they create.
Innovation Solution
The insert-and-twist building block structure features a conic-shaped combination projection section with bead rings and a conic-shaped combination cavity with groove rings, allowing for easy assembly and effortless disassembly by rotating the beads from deep to shallow trough sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If building blocks are combined with tight fitting to ensure stable connection, then connection strength is improved, but ease of separation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism transitions from a static tight-fit design to a dynamic one where the connection state can be easily changed. The conic-shaped projection allows the blocks to be firmly connected during play, but the same conic geometry enables easy disconnection by reversing the insertion motion, making the connection strength adjustable and controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the connection interface by using a conic shape instead of a cylindrical or rectangular fit. The varying diameter along the conic projection creates a connection that is tight during assembly but allows for easy separation, fundamentally changing the dimensional parameters of the connection interface to resolve the contradiction between strong connection and easy separation.
2Ease of manufacture
If building blocks use simple geometric shapes for connection, then ease of manufacture is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conic-shaped projection section changes the geometric parameters of the connection interface. This conic geometry can be efficiently manufactured using standard molding techniques while providing superior connection reliability compared to simple cylindrical fits. The varying diameter creates natural engagement and disengagement points that improve connection reliability without complicating the manufacturing process.
Data Source
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AI summary
An insert-and-twist building block structure includes a connection bar and a connection terminal unit. The connection bar has an end from which a combination projection section extends and has a conic shape. The combination projection section has an external circumferential surface formed with a bead ring including multiple raised beads intermittently arranged in a ring configuration. The connection terminal unit includes a connection terminal having an end inward recessed to form a combination cavity in a conic shape. The combination cavity has an internal circumferential surface formed with a groove ring including multiple recessed grooves intermittently arranged in a ring configuration. The recessed grooves each a middle portion forming a deep trough section and two ends each forming a shallow trough section, and a depth is decreased from the deep trough section toward the shallow trough sections.