Bendable Toy Track Segments with Angled Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional toy vehicle tracks lack flexibility in curvature and height adjustment, with fixed radii and complex interconnection mechanisms, limiting user creativity and track configuration options.
Innovation Solution
A bendable track system with interlinking sections that can be angled to curve in three dimensions, allowing for various curvatures, heights, and twists, using elastic and thermoplastic polymer materials with connector modules for secure and adjustable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed-radius curved tracks are used, then the track structure is simple and stable, but the track lacks flexibility in curvature and height adjustment, limiting user creativity
Solution Approach 1:
The track is divided into multiple straight segments that can be connected at various angles. Each segment can be independently positioned and angled relative to adjacent segments, enabling flexible curvature formation without requiring pre-formed curved tracks. This segmentation allows users to create custom track paths using only straight sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The track structure incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable connections between segments, allowing the track geometry to be dynamically changed. Users can modify the angle and position of each segment to create different curvature patterns, transforming a static fixed-radius track into a dynamic, user-configurable system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex interconnection mechanisms are used to allow track segments to be angled, then the track can curve in three dimensions, but the connection mechanism becomes overly complicated
Solution Approach 1:
A universal connector design is used that can accommodate multiple connection angles and orientations with a single mechanism type. The same connector structure enables straight connections, angled connections, and three-dimensional curving, eliminating the need for different specialized connectors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism incorporates vertical adjustment capability in addition to horizontal angling, allowing track segments to be positioned at different heights. This adds a vertical dimension to the connection freedom, enabling three-dimensional track configurations including hills, valleys, and twisted paths.
3Ease of operation
If fixed curvature tracks are used, then the track structure is straightforward, but the user experience becomes disinteresting with limited choices of curved sections
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the track into multiple adjustable straight segments, users can easily configure different track layouts by simply changing the angle of each segment. This segmentation provides numerous combination possibilities for creating varied track paths, loops, and patterns without requiring complex pre-formed curved sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The track system allows continuous variation of geometric parameters including curvature radius, track height, and segment angles. Users can adjust these parameters to create diverse track configurations, transforming a single fixed layout into infinitely variable track designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to create diverse and stable track configurations easily, allowing for continuous and varied track layouts while maintaining structural integrity, enhancing play experience with toy vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
using elastic and thermoplastic polymer materials with connector modules for secure and adjustable connections
Data Source
AI summary
A track for a toy vehicle includes several track units. Each track unit has an upper layer and a spaced apart lower layer. Each of the adjacent units comprises two sections. A first section has an upper side for supporting the toy vehicle and a bottom side. A second section has an upper layer having a top side for supporting the toy vehicle and a lower base. The first section has a first connector, and the second section has a mating second connector. The first and second connectors are connectable so that first and second sections are connectable in an adjacent unit to form an adjacency relationship. Each unit includes a first section and two second sections. Two second sections are located at opposite longitudinal ends of the first section. The first section is bendable in a longitudinal sense substantially parallel to a plane on which a track is directed from one end to the other end in a track running direction. The second section is bendable in a transverse sense substantially transverse to a plane on which a track is directed from one end to the other end in a track running direction.