Electrically Conductive Building Blocks With Anti-Symmetric Contact Mechanisms

Abstract

The invention herein discloses a system including building blocks intended for educational, amusement or functional use of assembling into mechanical and electro-mechanical constructions. The building blocks are electrically conductive and have an electrical connector with an asymmetry property around one of the main, or natural, assembly planes. The asymmetric properties allow the connector to maintain high electrical conductance when assembled near an adjacent building block, without harming the building blocks physically and without requiring complex assembly rules and restrictions. The system can present rotational symmetry of 180 degrees, and can present elastic properties or magnetic properties to further increase the conductivity and durability of the connectors.

1 . A system comprising of building blocks intended for use in hobby, amusement, educational or functional construction that present electrically conductive properties to allow integration of electronic, power or electromechanical circuits into the construction, wherein the connection mechanism between adjacent building blocks has at least one asymmetry along an axis or a plane, and does not have a symmetrical reflection property around at least one central plane. 
     
     
         2 . The system in  claim 1  where the asymmetry is along a plane perpendicular to the natural assembly direction. 
     
     
         3 . The system in  claim 2  where the asymmetry is anti-symmetric reflection. 
     
     
         4 . The system in  claim 1  where the building block shows a rotational symmetry around one of its natural central lines such as the line perpendicular to the natural assembly plane. 
     
     
         5 . The system in  claim 1  where the asymmetry is along a plane parallel to the natural assembly direction. 
     
     
         6 . The system in  claim 1  where at least one asymmetrical feature is defined around a plane that is not defined 
     
     
         7 . The system in  claim 1  where the building blocks are coated with a metal, an alloy, a conductive polymer or another electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         8 . The system in  claim 1  where the building blocks are made at least in part of an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         9 . The system in  claim 1  where a magnetic component is introduced to exert forces for increased electrical connectivity. 
     
     
         10 . The system in  claim 9  where the magnetic component is coated, sputtered or deposited in a thin layer. 
     
     
         11 . The system in  claim 1  where the building blocks have at least one elastic component to serve as a spring. 
     
     
         12 . The system in  claim 11  where the elastic component is a spring arm in the shape of a leaflet spring. 
     
     
         13 . The system in  claim 11  where the spring element is made of a super-elastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The system in  claim 1  where the connectors use jagged teeth. 
     
     
         15 . The system in  claim 1  where the connectors are designed to be thinner for increased flexibility.