EP4004896A1

EP4004896A1 - Autocorrecting device suitable for learning a rule of grammar in a romance language

Info

Publication number: EP4004896A1
Application number: EP20756915.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maud DOMBREVAL; Peter Heppel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-07-24
Filing date: 2020-07-24
Publication date: 2022-06-01
Also published as: US20220246050A1; CA3148619A1; WO2021014107A1; FR3099283A1; FR3099283B1

Abstract

Autocorrecting device (1) comprising a support (2); at least two constant-diameter objects (3a, 3b, 3c) which can be rotated, at least one of the objects (3a) being said to be determinant, the other at least one object (3b, 3c) being said to be determined, each of the objects being provided with at least one stimulus (4) associated with an angular position of the object; a drive means (9) for driving the objects in rotation and having an object-driving torque M; a rotational-blocking means (6, 7) for angularly blocking a determinant object in position, a selection means (8a, 8b; 8c) for selecting an angular position of a first object with respect to a second object, the selection means applying a resistive torque Cr between said first object and said second object, said two objects having a coupled position in which the resistive torque is higher than the driving torque M and an uncoupled position in which the resistive torque is lower than the driving torque M.

Description

SELF-CORRECTIVE DEVICE SUITABLE FOR LEARNING A GRAMMAR RULE IN A ROMAN LANGUAGE

Technical area

The present invention relates to a self-correcting device suitable in particular for learning a grammar rule of a Romance language. The invention also relates to a self-correcting method implementing the device according to the invention.

State of the prior art

There are many devices for learning the grammar rule of a Romance language in electronic form. The user of the electronic device can learn the grammar rule in a fun way, for example by making mistakes several times and starting over.

However, electronic devices are not always suitable for children and there are strong educational reasons for a device with readable operation.

In addition, there are educational currents that develop this thesis, such as the current developed by the Montessori school which considers that the educational material aims to make the concept taught concrete.

In addition, electrical devices are not universally available or usable. Expensive, partly made from rare materials, they often require a power supply.

There is therefore a need to be able to offer the child a self-correcting device, with understandable operation, suitable in particular for learning a grammar rule of a Romance language and which can be used in the various places of learning, and in particular speech therapy practices, schools and the like.

Disclosure of the invention

One aim of the invention is in particular to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is proposed a self-correcting device comprising:

• a support,

• at least two objects of constant diameter that can be rotated, at least one of the objects being said to be determinant, the other at least of the objects being said to be determined, each of the objects being provided with at least one stimulus associated with an angular position of the object,

• a rotating drive means arranged to drive the objects in rotation, the drive means having a predetermined drive torque M of the objects,

• a means for locking in rotation in a predetermined angular position of a determining object,

• means for selecting an angular position of a first object with respect to a second object, said means for selecting applying a resistive torque Cr between said first object and said second object, said two objects having a relative angular position called coupled in which the resistive torque is greater than the drive torque M and a relative angular position called uncoupled in which the resistive torque is less than the drive torque M.

According to a preferred embodiment, the objects are cylinders with a circular base, and the support is a base having a longitudinal direction, the support being provided with a groove formed along the longitudinal axis arranged to receive successively, in the longitudinal direction of the base, removably, at least partially, each of the cylinders when the generator of the cylinder is disposed parallel to said longitudinal direction of the base, the longitudinal groove being arranged to receive the cylinders mounted free to rotate, the drive means being driven in rotation by a crank.

According to one possibility, the means for selecting an angular position may have a single, or more, mated relative angular positions.

Advantageously, the device according to the first aspect of the invention may include several selection means, arranged at different distances from an axis of rotation of the object.

The means for locking in rotation in a predetermined angular position of a determining object may for example be formed of a pin and a notch.

The means for blocking in rotation in a predetermined angular position of a determining object can be formed of complementary magnetic means.

Alternatively, or in addition, the means for selecting an angular position is formed by magnetic means cooperating with one another.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is proposed a self-correcting method, suitable for learning a Romance language, comprising a step of selecting a angular position of a first object relative to a second object by a selection means, said selection means applying a resistive torque Cr between said first object and said second object, said two objects having a relative angular position called coupled in which the resistive torque is greater than the drive torque M and a relative angular position called uncoupled in which the resistive torque is less than the drive torque M.

Brief description of the drawings

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, with regard to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a self-correcting device according to the invention;

• Figure 2 is a cross section of the embodiment of Figure 1;

• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a self-correcting device according to the invention;

• Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a means for selecting an angular position of a first object relative to a second object;

• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a self-correcting device according to the invention.

This machine allows the user, mainly children, to manipulate and experiment with sentence construction without the help of an adult. The self-correcting nature of the machine allows autonomous and deductive use.

detailed description

Since the embodiments described below are in no way limiting, it is possible in particular to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described, subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient. to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection includes at least one feature, preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if only this part is sufficient for to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

In the figures, an element appearing in several figures retains the same reference.

There is shown in the first two Figures 1 a first embodiment of a self-correcting device according to the invention, suitable in particular for learning a grammar rule of a Romance language.

A self-correcting method, suitable in particular for learning a grammar rule of a Romance language, according to the invention is described together with the self-correcting device.

Different grammar rules can be learned, such as the one describing the agreements between subject, verb and adjectives or those relating to conjugation.

The device comprises a support, here a base 2 of generally cylindrical shape in a longitudinal direction.

The device comprises a plurality of objects which can be rotated, here three cylinders, or rollers, numbered 3a, 3b, 3c. Of course, the device could include two or more rollers.

The cylinders can be made of wood and / or can contain, or even be made of, any other sufficiently rigid material such as plastic, metal or ceramic.

Each of the rollers 3a, 3b, 3c is cylindrical in shape, for example with a circular base.

Alternative stimuli 4, here texts, are arranged on different azimuths of each roll 3a, 3b, 3c. For example, roll 3a can present up to four distinct azimuths the words "the cat", "the cat", "the cats" and "the cats", and the roll 3b can present the words "black", "black. "," Black "," black ".

In the example shown, the objects that can rotate are cylinders about 5 times their diameter, with alternative words written on each of the four azimuths. In another embodiment, the objects which can rotate can be disks with the alternative words written on one side.

According to yet another embodiment, the objects can be cylinders with a non-circular base, but having a constant diameter, like the figures of Reuleaux.

The stimuli can be visual, tactile or even olfactory. Texts are visual stimuli, while Braille writing can provide tactile stimulus. One can imagine using olfactory stimuli to associate fragrances with other stimuli, olfactory or not.

The base 2 has a main longitudinal groove 9 arranged to receive, successively along the longitudinal axis of the base, at least partially each of the rollers 3a, 3b, 3c.

The rollers are received in the groove of the base so that their longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base.

The self-correcting device comprises a groove 5 formed along the longitudinal axis arranged to receive successively, along the longitudinal direction of the base, in a removable manner, at least partially, each of the rollers when the generator of the cylinder is arranged parallel to said longitudinal direction of the base. .

Placed in the base, the rollers 3b and 3c are free to rotate and their generatrices are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base.

In the example shown, the support is a pedestal comprising a recess of a shape such that the cylinders are held in an approximately coaxial arrangement, and only one of the alternate words on each cylinder is highlighted. In another embodiment, the support holds cylinders side by side. In the case of a rotating object in the form of a disc, the holder includes a partial cover, so that only one of the alternative words is visible.

Roll 3a is a so-called master or determining roll. The rollers 3b and 3c are so-called determined or determining rollers. Of course, it is possible to have more than one master roll when the construction requires it.

The master roll 3a can be locked in rotation by engaging one or more pegs 6 in notches 7 formed in the master roll 3a. The multiplicity of notches allows a choice between several orientations of the determining roller 2b, each of the orientations corresponding to one or more words. The pegs 6 and notches 7 form a means of selecting an angular position of a determining cylinder.

In the example shown, the rotation locking device is mechanical. The rotation locking device can also be achieved with magnets, or any other method of temporary attachment such as the use of Velcro.

The device 1 comprises means for selecting an angular position of a first object with respect to a second object, the selection means applying a resistive torque Cr between said first object and the second object. The means for selecting the objects have a relative angular position called coupled and a relative angular position called uncoupled. In the coupled relative angular position, the resistive torque is greater than in the uncoupled relative angular position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the means for selecting the angular position is formed of one or more magnets 8, arranged at each end of a roller, forming a group of magnets. The group of magnets serves to block the relative rotation of two adjacent rollers so that their azimuths, taken with respect to a common reference, are equal.

In the example shown, the magnets 8 include in particular the magnets 7a arranged on the roller 3a and the magnets 8b arranged on the roller 8b. The polarities of the magnets 8a and 8b are chosen so that an attractive force exists between the magnets 8a and 8b, which makes it impossible to select an azimuth of the roll 3b based on the azimuth of the roll 3a. It is the same for the rollers 3b and 3c.

In the example presented, the angular selection means comprises magnets arranged on the cylinders. This angular selection means can also be achieved by any other device which is in a minimal state of energy when the objects are aligned.

In the example shown in Figure 3, it is noted that the magnets 8a include a magnet 8a1 and 8a2, diametrically opposed. Of course, the cylinder 4 carries corresponding magnets 8b1 and 8b2 (not shown) cooperating with the magnets 8a1 and 8a2. Also, if the magnets 8a1 and 8a2 are of opposite polarities, for example positive and negative respectively, the magnets 8b 1 and 8b2 are also of opposite polarities, respectively negative and positive.

Note that the magnets 8a1 and 8a2 are on different radii of the cylinder with a circular base. More generally, they are at a different distance from an axis of rotation of the constant diameter cylinder. This arrangement facilitates the rotation of cylinder 4 relative to cylinder 3 in positions where one would seek to bring together, if the distances were identical, two magnets of identical polarities which should face each other at a time.

In the example shown, the means for selecting an angular position has a single relative angular position coupled.

According to other embodiments, the means for selecting an angular position has several coupled relative angular positions. This makes it possible, for an angular position of a determining object, to match several angular positions of a determined object. The base further comprises a housing for an axis arranged to receive an axis 9 in the longitudinal direction.

In the base, the rollers rest on the axis 9, in such a way that a rotation of the axis causes a rotation of the rollers if the latter are free, the movement being transmitted by the friction between the axis 9 and the rollers. The relationship between this frictional force and the magnetic force between the magnets is such that the magnets 8 only prevent the relative rotation of one roller with respect to the other when the rollers are aligned.

In the example shown, axis 9 directly drives each of the rollers according to the principle of friction wheels.

Axis 9 and each of the rollers in fact form two cylindrical wheels. The two cylindrical wheels are in contact on a generator. The friction in contact with the two wheels transmits power from axis 9 which forms the driving wheel to each of the rollers, each of the rollers forming a receiving wheel. The transmitted power is therefore limited by friction.

The device 1 is provided with a drive means 10 in rotation of the axis 9, a crank 10 in the example shown. The axis 8 can be retained in translation by a nut.

The drive means 10 has a drive torque M of the objects which is predetermined.

It is important to select the driving torque M and the resisting torque Cr so that the resisting torque Cr is greater than the driving torque M in the coupled angular position and smaller than the driving torque M in any uncoupled angular position.

The resistive torque is calibrated so as to verify the relation exposed above.

The device 1 is furthermore provided with partitions 11 disposed transversely to the longitudinal direction, in transverse grooves 12. Thus, the translation of the rollers 3a, 3b, 3c, on either side of the longitudinal direction, is stopped.

The means for selecting a predetermined angular position prevents rotation of a cylinder into a well-spelled position relative to a cylinder itself in a well-spelled position.

When the user activates the crank, the mis-tuned words, placed on specific cylinders, are rotated by the crank 9 until the correct face is visible, after which the mis-tuned word is no longer driven in. rotation, due to the means for selecting an angular position. This machine allows the user, mainly children, to manipulate and experiment with sentence construction without the help of an adult. The self-correcting nature of the machine allows autonomous and deductive use.

There is shown in Figure 3 a second embodiment of a learning device 1 ’of a grammar rule of a language according to the invention, only described for its differences from the first embodiment.

Instead of the means for selecting an angular position of a determining cylinder formed by a pin and a notch, the means for selecting an angular position is formed by magnetic means 6 'and 7' cooperating between them.

To this end, according to the embodiment shown:

- the magnetic means 6 ’has a single magnet housed in the base of the device 1’ and has a positive polarity;

- the magnetic means 7 ’comprises several magnets housed radially in the cylinder 3a, all having a negative polarity.

These magnets must be several times stronger than magnets 8.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a means 8c, 8d for selecting an angular position of a first object relative to a second object.

More precisely, the figure represents three cylinders 3d, 3e, 3f.

In the upper figure, the two objects 3e and 3f are in an uncoupled position.

In the lower figure, the two objects 3e and 3f are in a coupled position.

In the two upper and lower figures, the two cylinders 3d and 3e are in a coupled position.

To this end, the selection means 8c and 8d determine complementary side surfaces for the cylinders 3d, 3e and 3f which can cooperate with each other according to a single relative angular position of two cylinders to reduce to a minimum, if this is cancel, the space between the two cylinders.

The selection means further include the springs 8e and 8f which work in compression and which are arranged to tend to bring the objects together.

It is understood that as soon as the rotation of one of the cylinders presents, with respect to another adjacent cylinder previously blocked in rotation, the angular position according to which the space can be reduced to a minimum, the two cylinders are brought together under the action springs and do not can then no longer be rotated since the resistive torque Cr is then greater than the motor torque M.

It is also understood that if the device is oriented according to the terrestrial gravitational field, the selection means may not include the springs 8e and 8f, the gravitational field pressing the upper cylinder against the lower cylinder.

Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention, only described for its differences from the first embodiment, and which can implement certain characteristics of the second embodiment.

The device comprises a plurality of objects which can be rotated, here three cylinders, or rollers, numbered 3a ", 3b", 3c ". Unlike the first embodiment, the rollers are not arranged along the same axis of rotation, but side by side, along their generators.

Roll 3a ”is a so-called master or determining roll. The rolls 3b ”and 3c” are so-called determined or determining rollers.

The master roll 3a ”can be locked in rotation in several ways, as seen above.

In the example shown, the means for selecting the position include in particular the magnets 8a ”arranged along a transverse diameter of the roll 3a 'and the magnets 8b”, respectively 8c ”, each arranged on a transverse diameter of the roll 3b”, respectively 3c ”. The polarities of the magnets 8a ”and 8b” are chosen so that an attractive force exists between the magnets 8a ”and 8b”, which prevents the selection of an azimuth of the roller 3b ”according to the azimuth of the roller 3a ”.

The rollers rest on a 9 ”axle, so that a rotation of the axle causes the rollers to rotate if they are free, the movement being transmitted by the friction between the 9 axle and the rollers. The relationship between this frictional force and the magnetic force between the magnets is such that the magnets 8 only prevent the relative rotation of one roller with respect to the other when the rollers are aligned.

It is understood that it is sufficient that the axis of rotation 9 ”is not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rollers in order to present a non-zero moment in the longitudinal directions of the rollers. The different embodiments of this device according to the invention allow the user, mainly children, to manipulate and experiment with the construction of sentences without the help of an adult. The self-correcting nature of the machine allows autonomous and deductive use.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the different characteristics, shapes, variations and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Claims

1. Self-correcting device (1, 1 ’, 1”) comprising:

- a support (2),

- at least two objects of constant diameter that can be rotated (3a, 3b, 3c; 3a ”, 3b”, 3c ”), at least one of the objects (3a; 3a”) being said to be determining, the other at least one of the objects (3b, 3c; 3b ”, 3c”) being said to be determined, each of the objects being provided with at least one stimulus (4) associated with an angular position of the object,

- drive means (10) in rotation of an axis (9) arranged to drive objects in rotation, the drive means having a torque

of training M predetermined objects,

- a rotation locking means (6.7; 6 ’, 7’) in an angular position

predetermined of a determining object,

- a selection means (8a, 8b; 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f; 8a ”, 8b”, 8c ”) of an angular position of a first object relative to a second object, said selection means applying a resistive torque Cr between said first object and said second object, said two objects exhibiting a relative angular position called coupled in which the resistive torque is greater than the drive torque M and a relative angular position called uncoupled in which the resistive torque is less than drive torque M.

2. Self-correcting device (1, 1 ', 1 ”) according to claim 1, wherein the axis (9) directly drives each of the objects (3a; 3a”), the axis (9) forming a friction wheel with each of the objects (3a, 3b, 3c; 3a ”, 3b”, 3c ”).

3. Self-correcting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the objects are cylinders with a circular base, and the support (2) is a base having a longitudinal direction, the support being provided with a groove (9) formed according to l 'axis

longitudinal arranged to receive successively, in the longitudinal direction of the base, in a removable manner, at least partially, each of the cylinders when the generatrix of the cylinder is arranged parallel to said longitudinal direction of the base, the longitudinal groove being arranged to receive the cylinders mounted free to rotate, the drive means being driven in rotation by a crank (10).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

means for selecting an angular position has several coupled relative angular positions.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising

several selection means, arranged at different distances from an axis of rotation of the object (3a, 3b, 3c; 3a ”, 3b”, 3c ”).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

means for locking in rotation in a predetermined angular position of a determining object consists of an ankle (6) and a notch (7).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

means for locking in rotation in a predetermined angular position of a determining object is formed by complementary magnetic means (6 ’, 7’).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

selection means (8a, 8b; 8a ”, 8b”, 8c ”) of an angular position is formed of magnetic means cooperating with each other.

9. Self-correcting process comprising an implementation of a device according to a

any of the preceding claims, comprising a step of selecting (8a, 8b; 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f; 8a ”, 8b”, 8c ”) of an angular position of a first object with respect to a second object by a selection means, said selection means applying a resistive torque Cr between said first object and said second object, said two objects having a so-called coupled relative angular position in which the resistive torque is greater than the drive torque M and an angular position relative so-called uncoupled in which the resistive torque is less than the drive torque M.