Universal Board Game Frame with Interchangeable Overlay Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The toy industry faces challenges in adapting board games with precise object grasping and electronic feedback mechanisms to diverse appearances and characters while maintaining economic efficiency, particularly in reducing the number of molds and manufacturing downtime required for different game designs.
Innovation Solution
A universal board game frame with a network of recessed areas and interchangeable modules allows for multiple game versions to be produced using a single mold, enabling adaptable configurations and diverse character appearances without additional manufacturing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple molds are used to create different board game versions, then diverse appearances and characters can be achieved, but manufacturing costs and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure is designed as a universal mold that can produce multiple different board game versions. The single mold includes a network of recessed areas that can accommodate different game components, and the overlay board can be customized with different characters and appearances while using the same underlying structure. This multi-functionality allows one mold to replace multiple specialized molds.
Solution Approach 2:
The board game structure is divided into separable components: a standardized base structure with recessed areas, interchangeable overlay boards featuring different characters and appearances, and modular game pieces. This segmentation allows the base structure to remain constant while only the overlay and surface elements need to be changed for different game versions, enabling efficient production from a single mold.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional manufacturing processes are used for each game version, then precise game components can be produced, but manufacturing downtime increases due to mold switching
Solution Approach 1:
The single universal mold is designed to produce all game components for multiple different board game versions in one manufacturing run. The mold includes a network of recessed areas that can form different game pieces, and the overlay board is manufactured separately and attached afterward, allowing the precision molding process to run continuously without interruption for different game types.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure with all recessed areas and structural features is pre-manufactured using the single mold in advance. This preliminary action creates a standardized foundation that can later accommodate different overlay boards and game configurations, eliminating the need to reconfigure molds for each game version and reducing manufacturing downtime.
3Productivity
If a single mold is used for multiple game versions, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but the complexity of the mold design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold design is segmented into essential base structure features (recessed areas for game pieces, structural supports, electrical component placements) and non-essential surface features (character details, appearance elements). The mold produces only the essential base structure, while appearance variations are achieved through interchangeable overlay boards that are added after manufacturing, simplifying the mold design while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex appearance and character details are extracted from the mold design and placed on separate overlay boards. The mold itself only needs to create the functional base structure with recessed areas, eliminating the need to incorporate diverse character designs and appearances into the mold, thereby reducing mold complexity while preserving manufacturing efficiency.
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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs and downtime by enabling the creation of various board game versions with diverse appearances and characters using a single mold, facilitating efficient production and gameplay with electromechanical feedback.
Implementation Method 1
If the player should touch the perimeter of the cavity with the tweezers such action completes the electrical circuit and causes the buzzer to sound and the lamp to illuminate
Data Source
AI summary
A revised universal base structure which is adapted for use in manufacturing various different versions of an electromechanical game using the same base structure. The base structure provides a network or grid of recessed areas above which a ground plate may extend. The recessed areas are formed as small squares and various small playing pieces are receivable in the recesses so that they can be retrieved by players during the course of game play. However, the base structure can be used with various uniquely different ground plates and unique upper boards to form various different embodiments of the differing games.