Motion toy

Abstract

This motion toy comprises: a motor capable of rotating forward and backward; wheels; and a drive device that transmits power of the motor to the wheels and rotates the wheel according to the forward or backward rotation of the motor. A toy body is provided with an oscillation body that oscillates about a first shaft extending in the width direction, and that appears and disappears from / into the toy body by oscillation. The oscillation body is provided with the wheels at positions separated from the first shaft. The drive device includes a planetary gear mechanism in which the oscillation body serves as an arm. The first shaft is provided with a sun gear. The oscillation body is provided with planetary gears linked to the wheels. Further, the first shaft is provided with a first surface that is orthogonal to the first shaft and that rotates integrally with the sun gear, and the oscillation body is provided with a second surface that faces the first surface, abuts on the first surface, and is operated by frictional force generated between the first surface and the second surface.

Description

Moving toy

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving toy.

[0002] Conventionally, an epicyclic gear mechanism is provided in the body portion, a first reduction gear train is provided across the body portion and one leg portion, a second reduction gear train is provided across the body portion and the other leg portion, and the epicyclic gear mechanism selectively links the first reduction gear train or the second reduction gear train to the motor to selectively drive the wheels provided on the left and right leg portions. A moving toy is known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Utility Model Registration No. 3191973

[0004] By the way, when trying to configure a moving toy to move up and down with respect to the toy body of the wheels using such an epicyclic gear mechanism, since the toy body has to be moved up and down, there is a problem that the operating torque is insufficient if only the revolution of the planetary carrier (arm) associated with the sun gear is used. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a moving toy that can swing the toy body up and down with a simple mechanism using an epicyclic gear mechanism.

[0005] The first means is a moving toy including a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation, wheels, and a drive device that transmits the power of the motor to the wheels and rotates the wheels according to the forward and reverse rotation of the motor. A rocking body that rocks about a first axis extending in the width direction and protrudes and retracts with respect to the toy body by the rocking is provided on the toy body. The wheel is provided at a position away from the first axis on the rocking body. The drive device includes an epicyclic gear mechanism having the rocking body as an arm. A sun gear constituting the epicyclic gear mechanism is provided on the first axis. A planetary gear constituting the epicyclic gear mechanism and linked to the wheel is provided on the rocking body. Further, a first surface that is orthogonal to the first axis and rotates integrally with the sun gear is provided on the first axis. A second surface that faces the first surface, abuts against the first surface, and operates by the frictional force generated between the first surface and the second surface is provided on the rocking body.

[0006] The second means is the first means, characterized in that an elastic body is provided between the toy body and the oscillating body, biasing the oscillating body in a direction that causes it to protrude from the toy body, and the oscillating body, under normal conditions, is retracted into the toy body against the biasing force due to the weight of the toy body.

[0007] The third means is the second means, characterized in that the planetary gear and the wheel are linked via a gear provided on the axle.

[0008] The fourth means is the second or third means, characterized in that the elastic body is a torsion spring wound around the first shaft and placed between the toy body and the oscillating body.

[0009] The fifth means is the second or third means, characterized in that the first surface and the second surface are flat.

[0010] According to the present invention, when the first surface rotates, the second surface rotates in a semi-clutched state, causing the oscillating body to oscillate. In other words, the oscillating body is assisted. As a result, the oscillating body can be reliably oscillated.

[0011] This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the action toy according to the embodiment. This is a side view of the action toy. This is a bottom view of the action toy. This is a rear perspective view of the action toy with the upper outer shell of the torso removed. This is a front perspective view of the drive unit. This is a rear perspective view of the drive unit. This is a rear perspective view showing the oscillating body and the parts assembled to the oscillating body. This is a diagram showing the action toy in forward motion. This is a diagram showing the action toy in reverse motion. This is a diagram showing the action toy in up-and-down motion.

[0012] Hereinafter, an action toy according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the action toy 100 according to the embodiment, and Figure 2 is a side view of the action toy 100. In the following description, "left and right" and "front and back" refer to the "front and back" and "left and right" when viewed from the rear of the action toy 100. The action toy 100 is a cat-shaped robot toy. The action toy 100 has an egg-shaped toy body 10 consisting of a head 10a and a body 10b. The toy body 10 is fitted with ears 11L and 11R and a tail 12. The ears 11L and 11R are fixed to the toy body 10. The tail 12 is also capable of swinging up and down within a predetermined range around an axis 12a that extends in the width direction (Figure 4). The tail 12 swings up and down around the axis 12a as the toy body 10 swings. Furthermore, the toy body 10 has a power button 13 between the left and right ears 11L and 11R, and a USB port 14 is provided below the right ear 11R.

[0014] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the action toy 100. Below the toy body 10 are movable front legs 15L, 15R, wheels 16L, 16R, and fixed rear legs 17L, 17R. The front legs 15L, 15R are attached to the body 10b via an axis (not shown) that extends in the width direction. The front legs 15L, 15R swing up and down within a predetermined range around this axis.

[0015] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the action toy 100 with the upper outer casing of the torso 10b removed. Inside the torso 10b are a speaker 20, a microphone 21, a circuit board 22, and a housing 23. Various electrical and electronic components are mounted on the circuit board 22. Below the circuit board 22 is a battery compartment for storing a rechargeable battery (not shown). The battery can be replaced by removing the lid 19 (Figure 3) on the bottom surface of the toy body 10.

[0016] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the drive unit 24, and Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the drive unit 24. Inside the housing 23 are the wheels 16L and 16R, the oscillating body 30, and the drive unit 24 that operates them.

[0017] Figure 7 is a rear perspective view showing the oscillating body 30 and the parts assembled to the oscillating body 30. The oscillating body 30 is composed of a rectangular frame in plan view, and its rear end is attached to the toy body 10 via an axle 30a. The oscillating body 30 is capable of moving up and down within a predetermined range around the axle 30a relative to the toy body 10. The axles 31 of the wheels 16L and 16R are attached to the oscillating body 30 at a location away from the axle 30a (free end side). The wheels 16L and 16R are fixedly mounted on the axle 31.

[0018] The drive unit 24 also includes a motor 32 that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, and a gear train 33 that transmits motor power to the wheels 16L and 16R. The gear train 33 consists of gears 33a to 33l. Power from the motor 32 is transmitted to the wheels 16L and 16R via gears 33a to 33i.

[0019] Of these, gears 33j and 33k constitute a planetary gear mechanism with the oscillating body 30 as a planetary carrier (arm). Specifically, gear 33j is a sun gear and is attached to the shaft 30a of the oscillating body 30. Gear 33k is a planetary gear and is attached to the oscillating body 30 via shaft 34. This gear 33k meshes with gear 33j and revolves around gear 33j in accordance with the oscillation of the oscillating body 30. Furthermore, this gear 33k meshes with gear 33k attached to shaft (axle) 31.

[0020] Furthermore, the drive unit 24 is equipped with a friction transmission mechanism 36. Specifically, a friction transmission mechanism 36 is provided between the oscillating body 30 and the gear (sun gear) 33j. The friction transmission mechanism 36 is composed of a friction clutch. Specifically, a rectangular prism-shaped mounting 36a is attached to the inside of the gear 33j, and this mounting 36a is driven into the hole 37a of the disc 37. On the other hand, the oscillating body 30 has a sliding contact surface 30b on the part facing the disc 37. The disc 37 and the sliding contact surface 30b are in contact in a semi-clutch state. When the gear 33j rotates, the oscillating body 30 oscillates in a direction corresponding to the rotation direction of the gear 33j. In this case, the disc 37 and the sliding contact surface 36b may have irregularities, but a flat surface provides a noise reduction effect. Even if the disc 37 and the sliding surface 36b are made flat, the assistance of the torsion spring 38, described later, is obtained, so it does not affect the lifting of the toy body 10.

[0021] Furthermore, a torsion spring 38 is wound around the right-side shaft 30a of the oscillating body 30. One end of the torsion spring 38 is attached to the oscillating body 30, and the other end is attached to the toy body 10. The oscillating body 30 is biased so that its free end protrudes downward from the toy body 10. In this case, the biasing force of the torsion spring 38 is such that, under normal conditions, the weight of the toy body 10 causes the oscillating body 30 to sink into the toy body 10. The torsion spring 38 assists the protrusion of the oscillating body 30 when it moves in the direction of protruding downward from the toy body 10 by the friction transmission mechanism 36. Normally, a weak motor cannot move the oscillating body 30 from a state with no initial velocity, but by providing an elastic body (in this case, the torsion spring 38), the oscillating body 30 can be operated.

[0022] Functional Configuration: The action toy 100 comprises a memory unit and a control unit as its main components.

[0023] The memory unit is equipped with a storage device that allows data to be written to and read, such as flash memory. This memory unit stores the operating program and the light emission data and sound data necessary for executing that program.

[0024] Furthermore, the control unit is comprised of a microcontroller unit and peripheral circuits. The control unit reads each program from the memory unit and executes processing and control according to each program.

[0025] Furthermore, the action toy 100 includes, for example, a switch that detects the pressure of a button (not shown) provided on the toy body 10, a three-axis sensor that detects the vibration state of the action toy 100, and a microphone 21 that detects the player's voice. Signals from these detection units are sent to the control unit, which determines the level of care required for the action toy 100 based on these signals and outputs a control signal according to the determination result to control the motor 32. Specifically, it controls the rotation direction and rotation time of the motor 32.

[0026] (Movement) The moving toy 100 performs three main types of movements. These three types of movements are forward movement, backward movement, and up-and-down rocking.

[0027] A. Forward Movement (Figure 8) The action toy 100 moves forward by the forward rotation of the motor 32. That is, the forward rotation of the motor 32 transmits motor power to the wheels 16L and 16R through gears 33a to 33l. As a result, the wheels 16L and 16R rotate in the forward direction. Meanwhile, the rotation of the gear (sun gear) 33j activates the friction transmission mechanism 36, causing the disc 37 to rotate in the same direction as the gear 33j. As a result, the sliding contact surface 30b in contact with the disc 37 rotates around the axis 30a due to frictional force, causing the oscillating body 30 to oscillate around the axis 30a. At that time, the oscillating motion is assisted by the biasing force of the torsion spring 38. As a result, the oscillating body 30 protrudes downward from the toy body 10, and the action toy 100 moves forward while raising its head 10a.

[0028] B. Reverse Movement (Figure 9) The action toy 100 moves backward by reversing the motor 32. That is, by reversing the motor 32, motor power is transmitted to the wheels 16L and 16R through gears 33a to 33l. As a result, the wheels 16L and 16R rotate in the reverse direction. At the same time, the rotation of the gear (sun gear) 33j activates the friction transmission mechanism 36, causing the disc 37 to rotate in the same direction as the gear 33j. As a result, the sliding contact surface 30b in contact with the disc 37 rotates around the axis 30a due to frictional force, causing the oscillating body 30 to oscillate around the axis 30a. At that time, the torsion spring 38 compresses due to the weight of the toy body 10. As a result, the oscillating body 30 retracts into the toy body 10, and the action toy 100 moves backward in its normal state.

[0029] C. Up and down oscillating motion (Figure 10) The motion toy 100 performs up and down oscillating motion by fine forward and reverse rotation of the motor 32. During this time, it is accompanied by fine forward and backward movements.

[0030] (Effects of the Embodiment) The following effects can be obtained with the action toy 100 configured in this way. That is, when the disc 37 rotates, the sliding contact surface 30b rotates in a semi-clutch state due to frictional force, causing the oscillating body 30 to oscillate. Therefore, the oscillating body 30 becomes easier to oscillate, and the oscillating body 30 becomes easier to maintain in a protruding state.

[0031] Furthermore, in the motion toy 100, the biasing force of the torsion spring 38 is used when the oscillating body 30 is extended, which assists in the oscillation of the oscillating body 30 in the extension direction and in maintaining the oscillating body 30 in the extended state. As a result, the frictional force acting between the disc 37 and the sliding contact surface 30b can be reduced, and as a result, the rotational power of the sun gear, the gear 33j, can be used to rotate the wheels 16L and 16R.

[0032] (Modification) In the above embodiment, a torsion spring 38 is provided between the oscillating body 30 and the toy body 10, but a compression spring or tension spring may be provided instead of the torsion spring 38.

[0033] Furthermore, although a torsion spring 38 is provided between the oscillating body 30 and the toy body 10 in the above embodiment, the oscillating body 30 may also be operated solely by the friction transmission mechanism 36.

[0034] The present invention can be suitably used in the field of manufacturing action toys.

[0035] 10 Toy body 10a Head 10b Body 11L, 11R Ears 12 Tail 12a Shaft 13 Power button 14 USB port 15L, 15R Front legs 16L, 16R Wheels 17L, 17R Rear legs 20 Speaker 21 Microphone 22 Circuit board 23 Housing 24 Drive unit 30 Oscillator 30a Shaft 30b Sliding contact surface 31 Shaft 32 Motor 33a-33l Gears 34 Shaft 36 Friction transmission mechanism 36 Friction transmission mechanism 36a Insert 37 Disc 37a Hole 100 Action toy

Claims

1. An action toy comprising a motor capable of forward and reverse rotation, wheels, and a drive device that transmits power from the motor to the wheels and rotates the wheels in accordance with the forward and reverse rotation of the motor, wherein the toy body is provided with a rocking body that swings around a first axis extending in the width direction and extends in and out of the toy body by the swinging motion, the rocking body is provided with the wheels at a position away from the first axis, the drive device includes a planetary gear mechanism with the rocking body as a planetary carrier, the first axis is provided with a sun gear constituting the planetary gear mechanism, the rocking body is provided with planetary gears constituting the planetary gear mechanism and linked to the wheels, further, the first axis is provided with a first surface that is perpendicular to the first axis and rotates integrally with the sun gear, and the rocking body is provided with a second surface that faces the first surface, contacts the first surface, and operates by the frictional force generated between the first surface and the first surface.

2. The motion toy according to claim 1, characterized in that an elastic body is provided between the toy body and the oscillating body, biasing the oscillating body in a direction that causes it to protrude from the toy body, and the oscillating body, under normal conditions, is retracted into the toy body against the biasing force due to the weight of the toy body.

3. The action toy according to claim 2, characterized in that the planetary gear and the wheel are linked via a gear provided on the axle.

4. The elastic body is a torsion spring wound around the first shaft and suspended between the toy body and the oscillating body. The motion toy according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. The action toy according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first surface and the second surface are flat.

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