Cascading Valve System for Multi-Barrel Toy Launchers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy air guns do not efficiently utilize compressed air and lack a cascading capability to bypass discharged barrels, leading to inefficient projectile discharge and limited firing sequences.
Innovation Solution
An air path and safety valve system that allows compressed air to cascade from one launch site to another by using a series of valve elements and springs, enabling lateral airflow and bypassing empty barrels, allowing for rapid and efficient discharge of projectiles from multiple barrels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple spring biased valve is used to communicate compressed air with a projectile, then the device complexity is reduced, but the efficiency of compressed air utilization deteriorates and cascading capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into multiple valve elements (first valve element, second valve element, third valve element) arranged in sequence along the compressed air source. Each valve element controls airflow to a specific launch tube, enabling independent control and cascading operation. This segmentation allows the system to bypass empty tubes and efficiently direct air to loaded tubes without wasting compressed air.
2Device complexity
If a single launch tube is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and continuous operation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous firing by providing multiple launch tubes (first, second, third launch tubes) with corresponding valve elements. When one tube is discharged, the system can automatically bypass it and direct compressed air to the next loaded tube through the sequential valve arrangement. This continuity allows rapid successive discharges without requiring manual intervention to reload or reposition components.
3Device complexity
If manual intervention is required to redirect compressed air after each discharge, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve elements are designed to automatically respond to the presence or absence of projectiles in the launch tubes. When a projectile is discharged from a tube, the corresponding valve element automatically returns to its default position, and the system self-directed compressed air to the next tube in sequence without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism enhances ease of operation while maintaining simple device architecture.
4Ease of operation
If compressed air is directed to every launch tube sequentially, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of energy increases due to wasted air in empty tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a skipping mechanism where valve elements detect empty launch tubes and automatically bypass them by directing compressed air flow to subsequent tubes. When a launch tube is empty or previously discharged, the corresponding valve element remains in a position that allows air to flow past it to the next tube. This skipping capability prevents waste of compressed air in empty tubes while maintaining automatic operation.
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
The system enables rapid firing of multiple barrels with efficient use of compressed air, allowing for continuous operation without the need for manual intervention, as air automatically flows to the next loaded barrel, enhancing play value and reducing energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
a spring for biasing the valve element from the open position to the closed position
Implementation Method 2
allowing for rapid and efficient discharge of projectiles from multiple barrels
Data Source
AI summary
An air path and improved safety valve combination for toy air guns including a housing in the shape of a gun, multiple barrels mounted to the housing, a piston, cylinder and spring combination for generating blasts of compressed air mounted to the housing, an air passageway structure with an air path channel mounted in the housing, and multiple valve elements movable in the air path channel between open rearward positions and closed forward positions. When in the rearward position, each valve element directs a blast of compressed air to an associated barrel because the barrel is loaded with a soft foam dart of proper shape. When the valve element is in a forward position indicating an empty barrel, the valve element causes the blasts of compressed air to cascade to the next valve element of a dart-loaded barrel in sequence and in a very efficient manner.