Wood Play Block Plug Connector for Detachable Socket Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy block sets made of wood and plastic face issues with weak and unaesthetic connections due to the use of adhesives, leading to environmental concerns and difficulty in waste separation, while existing plastic connections lack durability and ease of assembly.
Innovation Solution
A connection system using a plug connector made of plastic, such as polyamide or ABS, that fits into a wood block socket, featuring an expansion clamp with mounting protrusions and tongues for secure, detachable attachment, enhancing durability and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesives are used to join wood and plastic blocks, then the connection strength is improved, but the environmental harm increases and waste separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the adhesive substance from the connection system, replacing it with a mechanical connection method using plug connectors and circumferential notches. This eliminates the harmful chemical component while maintaining connection strength through pure mechanical interlocking between the plug connector and the wooden block socket.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a plug connector as an intermediary mechanical element that mediates the connection between wood and plastic blocks. This intermediary component provides a reusable, adhesive-free connection mechanism that allows for easy disassembly and material separation, replacing the permanent chemical bond of adhesives.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If adhesives are used to join blocks, then connection durability is improved, but ease of repair and waste separation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct reusable components: the plug connector, the circumferential notch in the wooden block, and the longitudinal connecting element. This segmentation allows each component to be independently reused and facilitates easy disassembly and repair, eliminating the permanent bonding characteristic of adhesives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic, reversible connection system where the plug connector can be repeatedly inserted into and removed from the circumferential notch. This dynamic mechanical connection replaces the static, permanent adhesive bond, enabling easy repair and component reuse while maintaining connection durability through proper mechanical design.
3Ease of operation
If plastic connecting elements are used in wood blocks, then ease of assembly is improved, but connection durability deteriorates due to lack of secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the cylindrical/curved geometry of the plug connector and circumferential notch to create a secure rotational and axial fit. The curved surfaces provide natural alignment and resistance to withdrawal forces, enhancing connection durability while maintaining ease of assembly through simple insertive motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite connection system combining plastic (plug connector and longitudinal element) and wood (block with circumferential notch) materials. This composite approach leverages the advantages of both materials: the precision and smoothness of plastic for easy assembly, and the structural strength of wood for durable connection, achieving both ease of operation and reliability.
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
The solution provides a secure, durable, and adhesive-free connection between wood and plastic blocks, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly, while reducing environmental impact and enabling effective recycling.
Implementation Method 1
a body of at least one block of the set is made of wood, preferably of oak or beech wood, or of plywood or MDF; and the flattened wall of the block has a cylindrical socket, created by milling with a square cutter, for example, with a circumferential notch at the bottom and a plug connector made of plastic, preferably of polyamide (PA) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS), press-fitted into the socket
Implementation Method 2
a plug connector made of plastic, preferably of polyamide (PA) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS), press-fitted into the socket
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2d
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The set of play blocks, each with at least one flattened wall designed to contact to the flattened wall of another block when joined and at least one mounting socket in the flattened wall and at least one longitudinal plastic connecting element with each end fitting into the mounting socket and capable of forming a detachable connection with it being such that at least one block (A) of the set has a body (1) made of wood and a cylindrical socket (3) in the flattened wall of the block (2) with a circumferential recess notch (5) at the bottom (4), and the plastic plug connector (B) press-fitted in the socket (3) having a cylindrical body of the plug connector (6) with an outer diameter corresponding to the diameter of the socket (3) and a hollow forming a mounting socket (7), matching the said tubular connecting elements, and an expansion clamp (8) mounted on the body of the plug connector (6) with a mounting protrusion (9) circumferentially positioned at the free end on the outer edge, comprising at least two expansion tongues (10', 10") separated by slots (11', 11") positioned axially for the plug connector B, extending at a certain distance from the free ends of the expansion tongues (10', 10") toward the body of the plug connector (6).