Manually Operable Car Feeder for Toy Racetrack Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy vehicle racetracks lack features that maintain children's interest and excitement during play, as they do not provide unique toy vehicle paths and positioning mechanisms to enhance the amusement and challenge of racing.
Innovation Solution
A toy racetrack with manually operable car feeders and adjustable jump ramps that allow users to control the path of toy vehicles, including a starting switch to release vehicles into a continuous closed loop track and intersecting paths for potential crashes, along with catch ramps for launching vehicles, and a folding design for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manually operable car feeders and adjustable jump ramps are added to provide unique toy vehicle paths and positioning mechanisms, then the excitement and amusement for children is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jump ramps are designed to be manually adjustable between different positions (raised and lowered), allowing dynamic change in the racetrack configuration. This enables users to control whether vehicles travel along the flat portion or launch through the air, providing adaptability without requiring complex automated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The racetrack is divided into distinct segments including car feeder tracks, flat portions, jump ramps, and catch ramps. Each segment performs a specific function, and the modular design allows for easy assembly and configuration while maintaining overall system manageability despite the multiple components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If intersecting track paths with crash zones are created to increase excitement, then the amusement value increases, but the reliability of toy vehicle travel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The jump ramps can be adjusted between raised and lowered positions, dynamically changing the track configuration. When raised, vehicles travel predictably along the flat portion; when lowered, vehicles are launched into crash zones. This dynamic adjustment allows users to control the level of unpredictability and excitement.
Solution Approach 2:
The manually operable car feeders allow users to prepare and position vehicles before releasing them onto the track. The starting switch mechanism enables users to control the timing and sequence of vehicle release, allowing them to set up scenarios for potential crashes or safe passage in advance.
3Area of stationary object
If a folding design is implemented to reduce footprint for storage, then the ease of storage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The racetrack is divided into modular sections that can be folded relative to each other. The base structure includes designated folding areas that allow different portions of the track to be collapsed over one another, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining the integrity of individual track segments.
Solution Approach 2:
When folded for storage, portions of the racetrack are designed to nest over the base and other track sections. The folding configuration allows upper portions of the track to rest over lower portions, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes storage space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A toy racetrack has a variety of features allowing a user to control and effect the travel path of toy vehicles as they travel through the toy racetrack. One or more car feeders are provided as starting points for a toy vehicle that is to be introduced onto a continuous closed loop track. A manually adjustable handle is operatively connected to a toy vehicle release that extends into the path of the car feeder, which blocks a toy vehicle's path until a user deliberately lowers the release through movement of the handle. Movement of the handle in a first direction lowers the release while raising a trigger into the path of the car feeder, preventing additional cars from entering the closed loop track. Movement of the handle in a second direction lowers the release while keeping the trigger retracted, allowing all cars to enter the closed loop track.