Mechanism for independently moving segments of a 3-dimensional object and applications thereof

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling parts of the surface of a three-dimensional object (1) to be moved relative to each other. Applications include orientation of instruments on the surface of e.g. a satellite or a logic puzzle. Objects with eight external segments (1, 300, 500) are disclosed and it is shown how these can be adapted to form an object with thirty-two interchangeable segments (400). Some embodiments may also be adapted to form an object with twenty-six interchangeable segments (100, 200).

Description: This invention relates to a mechanism for providing independent movement of the outer segments of a sphere or other three-dimensional object and applications thereof, including use of said mechanism to provide a logic puzzle. A common engineering problem, particularly in the space industry, is to move instruments exposed on the surface of an object relative to each other, altering the angular relation between them. For example, a satellite in orbit may have many external instruments such as antennae, solar panels, communications apparatus and the like all of which radiate from its outward surface and which must be held in particular orientations for particular tasks. Furthermore, the orientations may need to change dynamically and in a controlled fashion. In space, this is difficult to achieve as any moment applied to an instrument to move it leads to an equal and opposite moment on the satellite etc. as a whole. Therefore, moving instruments can lead to unwanted alterations in the orientation of the satellite. It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for altering the angle between and orientation of different items of apparatus on the surface of an object such as a satellite. The motion of the instruments around a central core are found in several other applications, for example, security cameras in shops are fixed to the ceiling at one particular point and the camera must then be able to move to all solidangles and in all directions. This would typically be achieved by having one actuator which can rotate the camera around a vertical axis and a second actuator which can move the camera vertically. It is difficult to devise a means for doing this which will allow the camera to be able to move smoothly and controllably through as wide a range of solidangles as possible. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for varying the angular relationship between sections of the surface of an object such as a sphere. A related field which can be looked to for guidance in this area is the field of logical puzzles. Three dimensional segment puzzles are well known and various formats for these have been proposed. The best known example is that which is known as the Rubik's Cube in which one large cube is made up of a series of interlocking smaller cubes. These cubes can be moved relative to each other and rotated around a central axis. This movement is powered only by the user, but the Rubik's Cube shows some of the principles of combinatorially adjusting the relative position of segments of the surface of a three-dimensional object. A further aim of the present invention is to devise new formats for segmented logic puzzles. In the Rubik's Cube, each of the various cubes from which it is formed has one of a series of colours applied to their outer faces and the object of the puzzle is to arrange the cubes in order to present a solid colour on each of the faces. Various proposals have previously been made to produce a similarly segmented puzzle which is spherical. One such example is described in EP 542327. This is an eight segmented puzzle in which each segment attaches to a conical element on the central core section. Theoretically various combinations of segments can be rotated around different axes. In practice there is a conflict between the close tolerance required to prevent the puzzle coming apart and the need for a degree of movement between the segments to allow the parts to be rotated relative to one another. The puzzle in this document is also likely to become easily jammed. Additionally with only eight playing elements, the scope of the puzzle is limited. It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a puzzle which is easy to use, whilst not requiring impractical tolerances in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional spherical rotary puzzle which is more complex than that of the Rubik's Cube and other such puzzles which are already known. The following description will emphasise logic puzzles but the correspondence between these puzzles and the engineering problems of altering the relative angular relation between instruments should be recalled throughout. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a three-dimensional object comprising a plurality of surface segments which have part of the surface thereon, the surface segments including a primary surface segment and a group of secondary surface segments; a plurality of joining segments for linking secondary surface segments to one another to form, together with the primary surface segment, the three-dimensional object in which the surface segments are moveable relative to one another in such a way as to enable individual groups of surface segments to be exchanged with each other; a core element which defines axes of movement of the segments; wherein the primary surface segment is held in a fixed relation to the core element, and the secondary surface segments have a formation that slidably co-operates with a complementary formation on the joining segments, and the joining segments are moveable relative to one another. Preferably, the core element comprises six generally cylindrical elongate members arranged orthogonal to each other and which define axes of movement for the segments. The primary surface segment may have three straight sides, each straight side comprising a protruding edge for slidably cooperate with complementary formations on the on the secondary surface segments. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional object comprises one primary surface segment, seven secondary surface segments and nine joining segments, the primary surface segment and three of the secondary surface segments defining a first part volume of the three-dimensional object, and four remaining secondary surface segments defining a second part volume of the three-dimensional object, wherein the first part volume comprises a first group of two joining segments, and the second part volume comprises a second group of four joining segments, and a third group of three joining segments are located on a plane separating the first and second part volumes, wherein rotational movement of one part volume with respect to the other effects a relative movement of the first group of joining segments relative to the second group of joining segments. Preferably, the third group of joining segments remains stationary with respect to the first part volume during rotational movement of one part volume with the respect to the other. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a puzzle comprising a three-dimensional object according to the first aspect, wherein parts of the surface of the object have pattern elements thereon. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a machine for controllably orientating a plurality of devices, the machine comprising a three dimensional object according to the first aspect, wherein the devices are mounted on parts of the surface of the object and there are further provided means for controllably urging individual segments to move relative to each other. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figures 1a-c are, respectively, isometric, top and bottom views of the 3D spherical rotary puzzle in accordance with the present invention; Fig 2 is an exploded isometric view as seen from a south-easterly point; Figures 3a-b are respectively isometric and right side views of the primary external segment of the 3D puzzle; Figures 4a-b are respectively isometric and right side views of the secondary external segments of the 3D puzzle; Figures 5a-d are respectively, isometric, right, front and back views of a joining plate of the 3D puzzle; Figures 6a-b are isometric views of a core section of the 3D puzzle; Figures 6c-d are isometric views showing the co-operation of the core with the external and joining elements; Figures 7a-b are partially cut-away views illustrating the relationship between all the parts; Fig 8a-e illustrate successive stages in assembly of the puzzle; Fig 9a-e illustrate the various rotational capabilities of the 3D puzzle; Fig 10 illustrates the manner in which the parts clip together; Fig 11 provides a view of a 3D puzzle having an alternative surface decoration; Figures 12a-c are respectively isometric, top and bottom views of an alternative 3D spherical puzzle in accordance with the present invention; Figure 13 is an exploded isometric view of the puzzle of Figure 12; Figures 14a-b illustrate different views of an external segment of the puzzle of Figure 12; Figures 15a-d illustrate respectively isometric, side, front and back views of a joining plate of the puzzle of Figure 12; Figures 16a-b are front and bottom views of a core top element of the puzzle of Figure 12; Figures 17a-d are four different views illustrating the relationship between the core and the other elements of the puzzle of Figure 12; Figures 18a-c illustrate three examples of the top layer being rotated 90° clockwise in the puzzle of Figure 12; Figures 19a-b illustrates an isometric south-east view of an alternative decoration of the puzzle of Figure 12 before and after partial rotation; Figure 20 is an exploded isometric view of the main components of an improved twenty-six piece puzzle as seen from a south-easterly view-point; Figures 21a-c are isometric, bottom and side view of core top caps in the puzzle of Figure 20; Figures 22a-c are isometric, bottom and cross section view of core tops in the puzzle of Figure 20; Figures 23a and 23b are isometric views of accessories for core tops in the puzzle of Figure 20; Figure 24 illustrates the relationship of parts of the core tops in the puzzle of Figure 20; Figure 25 is an isometric, bottom and side view of joining plates in the puzzle of Figure 20; Figure 26 is an isometric and side view of external segments in the puzzle of Figure 20; Figure 27 is an isometric view of a core in the puzzle of Figure 20; Figure 28 illustrates various stages of assembly of the puzzle in Figure 20; Figure 29 is an example of the rotational capabilities of the segments in the puzzle of Figure 20. Figures 1-11 of the drawings shows a 3D spherical rotary puzzle 1 in accordance with the present invention. The puzzle 1 comprises a primary external segment 10 and seven secondary external segments 20, nine joining plates 30 and a central core 40. The primary external segment 10 is part spherical on the external surface 11 and has a protruding edge 12 on each of its three straight sides as seen in Figures 3a and 3b. The seven secondary external segments 20 are externally similar to the primary external segment 10 but different internally as seen in Figures 4a and 4b. They are again part spherical on the external surface 21 but are partially hollow and have a groove 22 on each of their three sides. The protruding edges 12 on the primary external segment 10 complement and slidably mate with the grooves 22 on the secondary external segments 20. The nine joining plates 30 have edges 32 on both sides which are of precisely the same dimensions as those of the primary external segment 10, shown in Figures 5a to 5d. These also complement and slidably mate with the grooves 22 on the secondary external segments 20. They clip into place as shown in Figure 10. In order to prevent possible jamming of the parts due to free movements or sliding of the plates and to control the behaviour of all the parts when in rotation, a core 40 is provided, shown in Figure 6. The core has six cylindrical broad points 41, positioned at 90° angles from each other as seen in fig 6a. The core also has a groove 42 cut at straight angles along the x-y-z axes; centre point to centre point, designed to receive the straight edges of element 10 as shown in fig 6c. The broad cylindrical points allow the extensions 33 of the joining plates to be fitted in contact with the core 40. This secures all the plates in their home position and blocks the movement of any three plates opposing the direction of rotation when the primary external segment 10 is held, or force any three plates in the direction of rotation to move when primary external segment 10 is rotated. This will become evident in the following examples. The primary and secondary external segments 10 and 20 clip onto adjacent joining plates 30 and interact with the core 40. When all parts have been assembled a complete sphere is produced. Thereafter four segments can be rotated against the other four as follows:- Top four against bottom four and vice versa Right four against left four and vice versa Front four against back four and vice versa Home position is achieved every time the parts are rotated in 90° increments irrespective of the direction e.g. 90, 180, 270 and 360 without necessarily solving the puzzle pattern. For those who wish a more challenging puzzle, the puzzle can be reconfigured in a number of ways which make the solution more difficult without changing the physical make up of the puzzle. One such change is to apply a non-symmetrical design to the segments. For example, Figure 11 shows a globe map which makes the puzzle rather more difficult by requiring, in this case, a knowledge of geography as well as logic. In the basic version of the puzzle the segments have three different coloured sections as can be seen in Figure 1. In the original position of the puzzle the segments are arranged so that the colours of the sections on adjacent segments match. The objective of the puzzle is to restore the colour pattern of the eight external segments to the original position after scrambling them. It will also be clear to one skilled in the art that this puzzle could be adapted, by the addition of means to urge external segments to move relative to each other, analogously to the movement of the external segments of the puzzle, to form a way of moving external segments of a 3D object relative to each other. For instance, the junction between the protruding edges and grooves could have drivable cogs on one surface and a plurality of teeth on the other, thereby enabling automatic motor to drive the movement of external segments relative to each other. This would allow a 3D object, such as a satellite to move objects such as antenna, dishes, communication means, solar panels etc. on its surface relative to each other. In particular, by considering Newton's Laws, it will be clear that if the moment of each segment of the object were balanced, the individual external segments of e.g. a satellite in orbit, could be moved relative to each other without altering the orientation of the core of the device, making it much easier to orient antenna etc. relative to each other without requiring complex manoeuvring to maintain orientation. If it were possible to provide a way of moving a greater number of external plates of a sphere or other 3D object relative to each other, this could be used both to create a more difficult puzzle and more flexible apparatus for moving external parts of objects relative to each other. In another embodiment of the present invention, a puzzle with twenty-six visible external segments can be provided by altering the joining plates so that they form part of the outer surface. They could then form part of the puzzle, for example by requiring colour matching with the segments. This adds a considerable number of possibilities to the solution as the plates exchange positions every time the puzzle is rotated. This can be seen in the example illustrated in Figures 12 to 19. The puzzle 100 comprises eight external segments 110, each of which is part spherical; twelve joining plates 120; six core tops 130 and a core element 140. Individual external segments 110, joining plates 120 and core tops 130 differ only in terms of the colours applied to the surfaces of each. As in the previous embodiment, the puzzle forms the shape of a sphere when it is assembled. The puzzle is rotated in layers being outer layers and centre layers; each of the six outer layers consists of four external segments 110, four joining plates 120 and one core top 130; each of the three centre layers consists of four joining plates 120 and four core tops 130. The outer layers are right, left, front, back, top and bottom layer. The centre layers are X plane, Y plane and Z plane layer. By rotation all external segments 110 will be able to interchange with each other, likewise all joining plates 120 will be able to interchange with each other; core tops 130 will not interchange with each other. Each external element 110 has a part spherical outer surface 111, a hollow centre and a groove 112 on each of its three sides as shown in Figures 14a and 14b. Each joining plates 120 has a protruding edge 122 as shown in Figures 15a to 15d. The protruding edges 122 are designed to slidably clip into and cooperate with grooves 112. Once all the twelve joining plates 120 are clipped to the eight external segments 110, a sphere will be formed missing six squares where core tops 130 will be placed. In order to prevent possible jamming of the parts due to free movements or sliding of the plates, a core 140 is provided. The core 140 has six cylindrical broad points 141, positioned at 90° angles to each other as seen in Figure 17. At the end of each broad point 140 there is a cylindrical member 142 which cooperates with a clip 131 from a core top 130. The broad cylindrical points of the core allow the extensions 123 of the joining plates 120 to fit between individual axes of the core. This will secure all the plates in their home position as well as control all the involved parts as will become evident in the following example. Figure 19 shows a version of the twenty-six piece puzzle in which the provision of asymmetric markings on the core tops means that to solve the puzzle, core tops must be correctly orientated relative to joining plates. This increases the difficulty of the puzzle immensely. When designing puzzles of this type, it is important to consider how they are to be manufactured. The prior art contains designs for puzzles which are impractical to manufacture, either because they require unrealistic tolerances or simply there exists no practical way to assemble them. In a further embodiment, there is presented a variation of the twenty-six segment puzzle improved for the purposes of manufacture. Not only can it be readily assembled, it contains mechanisms to enable it to function smoothly and well using pieces with realistic tolerances for mass manufacture. Analogously to the puzzle shown in Figures 12 to 19, this embodiment 200, shown in parts in Figures 20 to 29 comprises eight external segments 210, each of which is part spherical; twelve joining plates 220; six core tops 230; and a core element 240. As before, the puzzle forms a sphere and individual outer and centre layers can rotate separately as before. The core tops 230 are shown in detail in Figures 21 to 23. Core top cap 233 which is part spherical in shape on the outside, has a straight surface on the inside with two hooks 234. Core top cap 233 mates irreversibly with corresponding clips 235 in core top 230. Along with spring 231 and screw 232, the core top 230 and core top cap 233 together form a core top assembly 245 which forms a complete element that will fit in the cylindrical ends of core 240. The purpose of the spring is to create a slight inward spring tension in order to keep all the elements hugged together and insure smooth rotational action, this is achieved as follows: - The tube like end 236 of element of core top 230 fits in the cylindrical end 241 of element 240, the spring 231 is inserted in the area 237, the screw 232 fits in the hole 242 of core 240 forcing the spring 231 to compress, since the cylindrical end of core 240 is slightly taller than the tube 236 of core top 230 the spring 231 will force core top 230 inwards by the difference in size of the cylindrical end and the tube. The flat surface 238 of the screw is larger in diameter than the tube in core top 230 which will insure that core top 230 will not move outward more than the gap 239, core top cover 233 can now be pushed into the corresponding recesses 235 in core top 230 and the hooks 234 of the core top cover 233 will clip on the rim of the core top. Joining plates 220 have protruding edges 222 which have a part spherical shape complementary to the internal surface of core tops 230 which therefore allows the protruding edges 222 to rotate under the core tops 230 when the puzzle is rotated. Likewise, external segment 210 is also part spherical on the outside and has continuous protruding edges 212 on the inside as seen in Figures 26 a and b these edges are complementary in their spherical shape to both bottom shapes of core top 230 and joining plates 220 that will allow the protruding edges 212 to rotate under either. The protrusion 212 of the edges of external segments 210 will not reach those of joining plate 220 when the puzzle is assembled and the protrusion of both the joining plate 220 and the external segments 210 will not reach the outside of the tube in the core top 240 allowing all parts to rotate freely. For assembly, as shown sequentially in Figures 28a-28g, five core tops 230 can be fitted against the ends of the core 240, the springs 231 inserted therethrough and the screws 232 inserted and tightened, compressing the spring and forcing the core cap 230 against the core 240. Four joining plates 220 can now be slid in place followed by four external sections 210. Four further joining plates 220 are fitted in place. Followed by four further external sections 210 and the final four joining plates 220. The final core top assembly 235 is then assembled in situ. If the segments are forced apart by hand after assembly, they will move slightly in the direction of the force but will not come apart as the gap 239 between the inner surface of the core top 230 and the disc 238 of the screw 232 is very small compared to the size of the protrusions 212, 222 of external sections 210 and joining plates 220. Figure 29a shows the assembled puzzle, (two external segments and two joining plates have been removed for clarity). Figures 29b and 29c shows the case as the top layer is rotated 45° and then 90° relative to the bottom and centre layers. All layers move as in the previous embodiment. However, due to the use of a spring 231 to bias the core top 230 whilst allowing it some freedom to move, the puzzle will remain fluid and easy to use despite small imperfections in the manufacturing process. As a result, it will also have a longer life expectancy.

Claims: A three-dimensional object (1, 100) comprising: a plurality of surface segments (10, 20, 110, 130) which have part of the surface thereon, the surface segments including a primary surface segment (10, 130) and a group of secondary surface segments (20, 110); a plurality of joining segments (30, 120) for linking secondary surface segments to one another to form, together with the primary surface segment, the three-dimensional object in which the surface segments are moveable relative to one another in such a way as to enable individual groups of surface segments to be exchanged with each other; a core element (40, 140) which defines axes of movement of the segments; wherein the primary surface segment (10, 130) is held in a fixed relation to the core element (40, 140), and the secondary surface segments have a formation (22, 112) that slidably co-operates with a complementary formation (32, 122) on the joining segments, and the joining segments are moveable relative to one another. A three-dimensional object according to Claim 1 wherein the core element comprises six generally cylindrical elongate members (41 141) arranged orthogonal to each other and whi,ch define axes of movement for the segments. A three-dimensional object according to Claim 1 wherein the primary surface segment has three straight sides, and each straight side comprises a protruding edge (12) for slidably cooperate with complementary formations on the (22) on the secondary surface segments. A three-dimensional object according to any of claims 1 to 3 comprising: one primary surface segment (10), seven secondary surface segments (20) and nine joining segments (30), the primary surface segment and three of the secondary surface segments defining a first part volume of the three-dimensional object, and four remaining secondary surface segments defining a second part volume of the three-dimensional object, wherein the first part volume comprises a first group of two joining segments, and the second part volume comprises a second group of four joining segments, and a third group of three joining segments are located on a plane separating the first and second part volumes, wherein rotational movement of one part volume with respect to the other effects a relative movement of the first group of joining segments relative to the second group of joining segments. A three-dimensional object as claimed in claim 4 wherein the third group of joining segments remains stationary with respect to the first part volume during rotational movement of one part volume with the respect to the other. A puzzle comprising a three-dimensional object according to any preceding claim wherein parts of the surface of the object have pattern elements thereon. A machine for controllably orientating a plurality of devices, the machine comprising a three-dimensional object according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the devices are mounted on parts of the surface of the object and there are further provided means for controllably urging individual segments to move relative to each other.

Inventors: KHOUDARY SALEH, KHOUDARY, SALEH
Applicants: INTERNAT MARKETING AND LICENSI, INTERNATIONAL MARKETING AND LICENSING LIMITED
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A63F9
IPC codes: B64G1, A63F9, F16M11