Toy component

Abstract

A toy component is disclosed, comprising a toy fork bolt (6) for insertion in a universal joint (2), said toy fork bolt comprising: a torque transmission element (10) for receiving or transmitting a torque (12) about an insertion direction (8), the utility model relates to a torque transmission device (10), comprising a torque transmission part (10), a wall-like support (22) which is arranged on the torque transmission part (10) and which extends in the insertion direction (8) and in a pitch direction (20) transverse to the insertion direction (8), and a ball element (32) which lies on the wall-like support (22) opposite the torque transmission part (10) when viewed in the insertion direction (8), according to the invention, at least one wall-like joint needle (34) is held on the ball element (32), which wall-like joint needle extends in the insertion direction (8) and in a yaw direction (18) transverse to the insertion direction (8) and transverse to the pitch direction (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a toy component. Background Technology

[0002] EU design patent 008337372-0008 discloses a toy fork-shaped plug.

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to improve toy components that have known toy fork-shaped plugs. Utility Model Content

[0004] A toy component has a toy fork-shaped plug capable of engaging with a toy fork-shaped receiving portion to form a universal joint. The toy fork-shaped plug includes: a torque transmitter for receiving or transmitting torque around the engagement direction; a wall-like support disposed on the torque transmitter and extending in the engagement direction and in a pitch direction transverse to the engagement direction; and a ball element placed opposite the torque transmitter on the wall-like support when viewed in the engagement direction. According to the present invention, the toy fork-shaped plug includes at least one wall-like articulated pin held at the ball element, the articulated pin extending in the engagement direction and in a yaw direction transverse to the engagement direction and transverse to the pitch direction.

[0005] The specified toy fork-shaped plug is based on the consideration of transferring the grooves used to accommodate the articulated pins in known toy fork-shaped plugs to the toy fork-shaped receptacle. In this way, force can be better distributed, thus minimizing wear. This results in smoother, more efficient force transmission and optimized mobility of the universal joint formed by the toy fork-shaped plug and the toy fork-shaped receptacle. A universal joint should be understood below as a mechanical component that makes it possible to transmit torque when there is a variable hinge angle between the two axes it connects. This variable hinge angle torque transmission is achieved through two degrees of freedom: rotational movement about a longitudinal axis aligned in the plug direction and pivotal movement about a transverse axis aligned perpendicular to the plug direction.

[0006] Specifically, relocating the slots to the toy fork-shaped receptacle improves mechanical stability because the toy fork-shaped receptacle is generally more robust and stable, enabling better load distribution and lower material fatigue. The articulated pins at the toy fork-shaped pins reduce wear because the toy fork-shaped pins generally have less room to move and bear less load than the toy fork-shaped receptacle, thus extending the universal joint's lifespan. The slots in the toy fork-shaped receptacle are easier to maintain because they are more accessible. This makes regular disassembly easier and improves the universal joint's functionality and lifespan, especially when used as a toy. The exchange optimizes the angle of motion because the slots in the toy fork-shaped receptacle offer greater degrees of freedom of movement than the slots in the toy fork-shaped pins, resulting in a larger articulation angle. The more stable housing of the articulated pins at the toy fork-shaped pins helps minimize backlash and vibration in the joint, resulting in smoother and more efficient force transmission. The exchange also optimizes manufacturing tolerances because the slots in the toy fork-shaped receptacle can be manufactured and controlled more precisely, improving the universal joint's fit accuracy and function.

[0007] In one improved design of the specified toy fork pin, the wall-like support comprises a post from which a wall element protrudes in both the pitch direction and the opposite direction. This arrangement improves structural stability. It allows for a more even distribution of forces acting on the toy fork pin, thereby improving load-bearing capacity and reducing material fatigue. The protruding wall elements on both sides also enable more precise guidance of the joint pin, further optimizing motion accuracy and force transmission efficiency. Furthermore, this structural design increases torsional stiffness, minimizing unwanted torsion and extending the lifespan of the universal joint. Finally, the clearly defined structure of the post with protruding wall elements simplifies manufacturing and assembly, allowing for more precise positioning and securing of components.

[0008] In one additional improvement to the specified toy fork-shaped plug, the post is a tapered cone that tapers gradually in the insertion direction. This improves the fitting accuracy and self-centering of the toy fork-shaped plug. The conical shape makes it easier for the shaft connector to insert into the toy fork-shaped receiver, simplifying and speeding up assembly. Furthermore, the tapering cone ensures a more even distribution of contact force along the insertion direction, reducing wear and extending the universal joint's lifespan. The conical shape also minimizes unwanted clearances by ensuring a precise and secure connection, resulting in smoother and more efficient force transmission. Finally, the tapering cone allows for larger tolerances to manufacturing errors, as the self-centering nature of the cone compensates for smaller inaccuracies, thus improving the overall function and reliability of the universal joint.

[0009] In another improved version of the specified toy fork-shaped plug, the column is coaxially mounted on a base designed at the torque transmission element, which is conical in shape and tapers towards the ball element. This improves structural integrity and stability. The conical base ensures improved force distribution when supporting the ball element, thereby increasing the universal joint's load capacity and service life. Coaxial alignment further enhances centering accuracy, simplifying assembly and improving mating precision. The tapering conical shape of the base also enables effective self-centering and facilitates easier insertion of the column, simplifying operation and assembly. This helps reduce friction and minimize clearance, resulting in smoother and more efficient force transmission. Furthermore, the conical shape improves torsional stiffness and minimizes unwanted torsion, further optimizing the universal joint's functionality and reliability in its toy applications.

[0010] In another improved version of the specified toy fork-shaped plug, the sides of the wall elements, viewed in the pitch direction and the opposite direction, are designed to extend toward the ball element and align with each other. This increases the hinge angle of the universal joint, that is, the angle at which the two axes connected by the universal joint can form relative to each other. Specifically, the aligned design of the wall elements allows for greater freedom of movement of the ball element, as the movement space is expanded and less restricted. This allows the ball element to pivot at a greater angle, thereby increasing the angular variability and flexibility of the universal joint. This increased mobility improves the universal joint's ability to efficiently transmit torque at greater angles and helps optimize functionality. Furthermore, this design ensures a more even distribution of forces, thus minimizing wear and material fatigue, and extending the lifespan of the universal joint. The more precise guidance of the ball element and the increased freedom of movement result in smoother and more efficient force transmission, thereby improving the overall performance of the universal joint, especially when used as a toy.

[0011] In a further improvement to the specified toy plug, the ball element is designed to have a smaller extension in the pitch direction than the wall support, preferably smaller than the minimum extension of the wall support. In this way, the aforementioned hinge angle of the universal joint can be further increased because the reduced extension of the ball element in the pitch direction additionally increases the range of motion for pivoting movements, which supports alignment strategies and further increases the maximum angle achievable by the joint. This improvement enables greater angle variability and flexibility, allowing the universal joint to efficiently transmit torque at more extreme angles. The reduced extension of the ball element compared to the wall support also minimizes potential contact points and friction surfaces between the ball element and adjacent components, further reducing wear and increasing the lifespan of the universal joint. Additionally, the lower extension improves freedom of movement and precision because there are fewer physical constraints that could impede movement. This results in smoother, more efficient force transmission and improves the overall performance and reliability of the universal joint, especially when used in toys.

[0012] In a particular improvement to the specified toy pin, the articulated pin has a trapezoidal, preferably rhomboid, cross-section when viewed in the yaw direction, with the main diagonals of the trapezoidal cross-section aligned in the insertion direction. This further improves force distribution and thus increases stability. The trapezoidal or rhomboid cross-section allows for optimal force distribution on the joint, thereby increasing load-bearing capacity and reducing material fatigue. By aligning the main diagonals in the insertion direction, forces are efficiently transmitted along the strongest axis of the cross-section, improving the structural integrity of the joint. The cross-sectional shape also increases the joint's degrees of freedom of movement, as it offers fewer physical constraints and allows for greater flexibility. This facilitates larger hinge angles because the articulated pin has more room to move and is less likely to jam. Furthermore, the trapezoidal or rhomboid cross-section ensures more precise guidance and a more stable connection between components, increasing the functionality and reliability of the universal joint. The geometry of the articulated pin also facilitates production and assembly, as clearly defined edges and faces enable precise manufacturing and simple mating accuracy. Overall, trapezoidal cross-sectional shapes, especially rhomboid cross-sectional shapes, result in smoother and more efficient force transmission, extending the lifespan of the universal joint and optimizing its performance, particularly when used as a toy.

[0013] In a preferred improvement, the toy fork-shaped plug is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about a rotational axis aligned in the insertion direction, with a rotational symmetry angle of 180°.

[0014] In this context, rotational symmetry must be distinguished from circular symmetry, although both terms describe the symmetry of an object about an axis. Rotational symmetry occurs when an object rotates around a specific axis and occupies multiple stable positions where it exhibits the same appearance. This symmetry typically refers to discrete angles of rotation. An example is a regular hexagon, which looks identical again after rotations of 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, 300°, and 360°. Circular symmetry, on the other hand, describes an object that rotates arbitrarily around a central axis and exhibits the same appearance at every position. This symmetry is continuous, not referring to discrete angles of rotation, but rather to consecutive angles of rotation. An example is a circle, which looks the same after rotation at any angle. Therefore, the difference between the two terms is that rotational symmetry typically refers to discrete, specific angles of rotation at which the object exhibits the same appearance, while circular symmetry refers to the continuous symmetry of an object about an axis, where the object remains unchanged in any rotation.

[0015] If a toy fork-shaped pin is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about a rotational axis aligned in the insertion direction, the uniformity and stability of force transmission can be improved. Rotational symmetry ensures that force is evenly distributed around the rotational axis, thereby reducing the load on individual areas and resulting in more even wear. This reduces wear and extends the life of the universal joint. Rotational symmetry also simplifies the assembly and adjustment of toy fork-shaped pins, as the symmetrical shape makes precise alignment possible. This improves mating accuracy and reduces the risk of assembly errors. Furthermore, the rotationally symmetrical structural design makes uniform rotation without imbalance possible, thus contributing to smoother and more efficient force transmission. Another advantage of rotational symmetry is improved manufacturing efficiency. Symmetrical parts can be produced more easily and at a lower cost because the geometry is less complex and standardized manufacturing techniques can be used. This reduces production costs and improves quality control.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a toy fork-shaped receiving portion for accommodating one of the specified toy fork-shaped plugs includes: a torque transmission member for receiving or transmitting torque around the insertion direction, and a receiving member disposed on the torque transmission member and protruding in a cylindrical form in the insertion direction, the receiving member having a receiving opening designed to be opposite to the torque transmission member when viewed in the insertion direction, a ball element being able to be inserted into the receiving opening into a receiving space, wherein grooves for accommodating wall-shaped supports and joint pins are formed in the wall of the receiving space when viewed in the pitch and yaw directions.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the universal joint includes a designated toy fork-shaped plug and a designated toy fork-shaped receiving portion, wherein the ball element of the toy fork-shaped plug is inserted into the receiving space of the toy fork-shaped receiving portion. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the ways and means of implementing them, will become more readily understood in conjunction with the following description of the embodiments, which are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 The universal joint, consisting of a toy fork-shaped receiver and a toy fork-shaped plug, is shown in a side view.

[0020] Figure 2 Shown in 3D Figure 1 The universal joint of the toy fork-shaped plug.

[0021] Figure 3 Shown in 3D Figure 1 The universal joint of the toy's fork-shaped housing.

[0022] In the accompanying drawings, the same technical elements are given the same reference numerals and are described only once. These drawings are purely schematic and, most importantly, do not reflect actual geometric relationships. Detailed Implementation

[0023] See Figure 1 The figure describes in more detail a universal joint 2, which consists of a toy fork-shaped receiving portion 4 and a toy fork-shaped plug 6 movably held in the toy fork-shaped receiving portion 4.

[0024] Universal joint 2 is a mechanical component that can be installed between two shafts (not shown further). These shafts are inserted into corresponding torque transmitters 10 in the insertion direction 8, which transmit torque 12 between the two shafts about the insertion direction 8. These shafts are mechanical parts used here for illustration only; they are considered as torque sources or torque-consuming ends. The torque transmitter 10 can be fixed to any mechanical component to transmit torque, such as a wheel hub related to vehicle steering, where the universal joint plays a crucial role.

[0025] The universal joint 2 enables the transmission of torque 12 when it is at a variable hinge angle 14 between the two rotation axes 16 on which it acts. This variable hinge angle transmission of torque 12 is achieved through two degrees of freedom, namely, rotational movement about the respective rotation axes 16 and pivotal movement in the direction of the hinge angle 14.

[0026] The movable articulated joints, namely the toy fork-shaped receiver 4 and the toy fork-shaped plug 6, are considered in separate coordinate systems below because meaningful descriptions in a common coordinate system would significantly increase the complexity of subsequent explanations due to the mobility of the two articulated joints 4, 6 relative to each other. Therefore, each articulated joint 4, 6 has its own coordinate system below, with a plugging direction 8 aligned on the rotation axis 16, a yaw direction 18 perpendicular to the plugging direction 8, and a yaw direction 20 perpendicular to both the plugging direction 8 and the pitch direction 18. The context for the naming of these directions 8, 18, 20 will be derived in further description and will not be discussed in more detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0027] Now for reference Figure 2 It is shown in a three-dimensional diagram Figure 1 Example of a toy fork-shaped plug 6 in a universal joint 2.

[0028] The toy plug 6 includes a shaft connector that serves as a torque transmitter 10, into which a shaft (not shown further) can be inserted. For example, a cross-shaped shaft is suitable for use in toy applications, as listed by Lego A / S under part number 4519 on their homepage at www.bricklink.com. The cross shape will be discussed later. Figure 3 As seen in the image. To accommodate this cross shaft, the torque transmitter 10 is designed to have a recessed space that is no longer visible, into which the cross shaft can be inserted in the insertion direction 8. The cross shape ensures that forces transverse to the insertion direction 8 are absorbed, generating a torque 12 about the rotation axis 16. The cross shaft is held at the torque transmitter 10 in a form-fitting manner.

[0029] Viewed in the insertion direction 8, adjacent to the torque transmission member 10 is a wall-shaped support member 22, which is disposed in the insertion direction 8 and extends in the pitch direction 20. In this embodiment, the wall-shaped support member 22 is designed as a three-section member and has a column 24, with a wall element 26 adjacent to the front and rear sides of the column when viewed in the pitch direction 20. The column 24 is designed as a cone and is concentrically placed on the conical end piece 27 at the front end of the torque connector 10 when viewed in the insertion direction 8.

[0030] Viewed in the pitch direction 20, the wall element 26 has outer edges 28 on its side opposite to the column 24, and these outer edges are aligned with each other when viewed in the insertion direction 8. This means that the distance between the two outer edges 28, not further indicated in the figure, decreases as the path increases when viewed in the insertion direction 8. Here, each of the outer edges 28 is provided with a step 30, wherein in Figure 2 Only one of the two steps 30 is observed in the view and is therefore labeled. The technical background of this step will be discussed in more detail later.

[0031] In the area of ​​step 30, the wall element 26 acts like a fork, with the ball element 32 held between the forks. The ball element 32 is placed on the column 24 and is surrounded by the wall element 26 in the pitch direction 20 and in the opposite direction. In this way, the ball element 32 is stably supported by the wall-like support 22.

[0032] At ball element 32, there is a joint pin 34 in both the yaw direction 18 and the opposite direction. In this embodiment, the joint pins 34 are implemented as rhomboids and their main axes are aligned in the insertion direction 8. In principle, the joint pins 34 can also be designed as walls, meaning that their extension in the insertion direction 8 is greater than their extension in the pitch direction 20. The function of the joint pins 34 relates to the technical effect of the resulting universal joint 2, which will be discussed in detail later.

[0033] The toy plug 6 is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about the axis of rotation 6, with a rotational symmetry angle of 180° (not further indicated in the figure). This means that if the toy plug 6 is rotated 180°, it will have the same appearance as in its original position to an observer who is viewing the toy plug 6 from a specific position and remains stationary.

[0034] Now for reference Figure 3 It is shown in a three-dimensional diagram Figure 1 The toy fork-shaped receiving part 4 of the universal joint 2.

[0035] The toy fork-shaped receiving portion 4 is constructed similarly to the toy fork-shaped plug 6, and also extends in the insertion direction 8, wherein the torque connector 10 is arranged at the rear end in the insertion direction 8. In this embodiment, the torque connector is designed as the aforementioned cross shaft and has two cross shaft walls 36 that cross each other, extending in the yaw direction 18 and the pitch direction 20 respectively, and generally resulting in the following... Figure 3 The cross shape shown.

[0036] Adjacent to the cross-shaped torque connector 10 is a cylindrical receiver 38, which can be used for the ball element 32 of the toy fork plug 6.

[0037] For this purpose, the receiver 38 has a receiving opening 40 through which the ball element 32 can be inserted into the receiving space 42 of the receiver 38 in a manner to be further described.

[0038] The wall of the receiving space 42 has a groove, one of which is a semi-circular groove 44 that starts from the receiving opening 40 and extends back to the receiving opening 40 via the bottom of the receiving space 42 (not shown further). In addition, as in the receiving space 42, a wall groove 46 that opens outward in the pitch direction 20 is formed in the wall of the receiving space 42.

[0039] Viewed in the direction opposite to the insertion direction 8, the adjacent wall groove 46 is a receiving groove 48, while gaps 50 are formed around the two end regions of the semi-circular groove 44. Figure 3 In the figure, only one of the slots 48 and the gap 50 is marked with its own reference numeral.

[0040] To assemble the universal joint 2, first align the wall groove 48 of the toy fork-shaped receiving part 4 and the wall-shaped support 22 of the toy fork-shaped plug 6 in the pitch direction 20. Then, insert the wall-shaped support 22 into the wall groove 48, and move the toy fork-shaped receiving part 4 and the toy fork-shaped plug 6 in their respective insertion directions 8, so that the wall-shaped support 22 is inserted into the wall groove 48. In this way, the joint pin 34 is simultaneously inserted into the semi-circular groove 44, thereby allowing the toy fork-shaped plug 6 to twist relative to the toy fork-shaped receiving part 4 in the yaw direction 18 (called yaw) and in the pitch direction 20 (called pitch).

[0041] Maximum pitch and yaw movement space is ensured by the receiving groove 48, the gap 50 and the step 30, which results in the maximum possible articulation angle 14.

Claims

1. A toy part comprising a toy fork plug (6) for plugging in a cardan joint (2), the toy fork plug comprising: a torque transmission (10) for receiving or transmitting a torque (12) about a plugging direction (8), a wall-like support (22) arranged on the torque transmission (10) and extending in the plugging direction (8) and in a pitch direction (20) transverse to the plugging direction (8), and a ball element (32) arranged opposite the torque transmission (10) on the wall-like support (22) viewed in the plugging direction (8), characterized in that at least one wall-like joint pin (34) is held at the ball element (32), the wall-like joint pin extending in the plugging direction (8) and in a yaw direction (18) transverse to the plugging direction (8) and transverse to the pitch direction (20). The wall-like support (22) comprises a post (24) from which one wall element (26) each projects in the pitch direction (20) and in a direction opposite the pitch direction. The post (24) is conically tapered in the plugging direction (8). The post (24) is held coaxially on a base designed at the torque transmission (10), the base being conically tapered towards the ball element (32). Sides of the wall elements (26) viewed in the pitch direction (20) and in a direction opposite the pitch direction are designed to extend aligned with one another towards the ball element (32). The ball element (32) is designed to have a smaller maximum extension than a minimum extension of the wall-like support (22) viewed in the pitch direction (20).

2. The toy piece of claim 1, wherein The joint pin (34) has a trapezoidal or rhomboidal cross section viewed in the yaw direction (18), wherein main diagonals of the trapezoidal or rhomboidal cross section are aligned in the plugging direction (8).

3. A toy part according to claim 2, characterised in that The toy fork plug is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about an axis of rotation (16) aligned in the plugging direction (8) with a rotational symmetry angle of 180°.

4. A toy part according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that A toy fork receptacle (4) is also included which accommodates the toy fork plug (6), the toy fork receptacle comprising: a torque transmission (10) for receiving or transmitting a torque (12) about a plugging direction (8), an accommodation (38) arranged on the torque transmission (10) and projecting in the plugging direction in the form of a cylinder, the accommodation having an accommodation opening (40) designed to be opposite the torque transmission (10) viewed in the plugging direction (8), into which the ball element (32) can be plugged into an accommodation space (42), wherein in a wall of the accommodation space (42) there are formed slots (44, 46) for accommodating the wall-like support (22) and the joint pin (34) viewed in the pitch direction (20) and in the yaw direction (18).

5. A toy part according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that ​ 6. The toy piece of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, ​ 7. A toy part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that ​ 8. The toy piece of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, ​ 9. The toy piece of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, ​ ​ ​ ​ 10. The toy piece of claim 9, wherein, The ball element (32) of the toy fork (6) can be inserted into the receiving space (42) of the toy fork receiving part (4) to form the universal joint (2).

Images