Composable Toy Figure Column for Rotational Torso Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing composable toy figures face issues with the torso detaching from the head due to vertical movement, which limits play value and requires complex assembly techniques.

Innovation Solution

A column with a passage and overhang design allows the torso to be rotated relative to the base while preventing vertical movement, using a tapered passage and overhangs to secure the torso, ensuring easy assembly and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the torso is placed on the base via the column to enable rotation, then the play value is increased, but the torso can press against the head vertically causing detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The column acts as an intermediary element between the base and the torso, providing both rotational freedom and vertical support. The column's passage with tapered walls and the overhang structure serve as mediating mechanisms that enable rotation while preventing vertical detachment of the torso from the head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the column is designed as a rod inserted into the lower part, then the number of parts is reduced, but assembly requires considerable skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of partsVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The column is pre-formed with a passage having tapered walls and an overhang structure before assembly. This preliminary preparation of the column's internal geometry enables easy assembly by allowing the torso to be simply placed onto the column, with the overhang automatically guiding and securing the torso in position without requiring complex assembly skills.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the passage width is reduced to enable column compression, then the overhang can be guided through, but the column may break too quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidcolumn durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The passage width is optimized to a specific range (1 to 5 times the maximum thickness of the column's outer wall in the passage area) that allows sufficient compression of the column's tapered walls to guide the overhang through, while maintaining adequate wall thickness to prevent the column from breaking too quickly during assembly and use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4635588A1Composable toy figure
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 FREAKWARE GMBH
  • EP4635588A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4635588A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4635588A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a composable toy figure (2), comprising: - a torso (4) which extends in a longitudinal direction (6), in a transverse direction (7) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (6) and in a vertical direction (8) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (6) and transversely to the transverse direction (7), and from which an arm (10) protrudes at the beginning and at the end, as seen in the transverse direction (7), and - a lower part (14) adjoining the torso (4) below in the vertical direction (8), with two legs (16) attached to the lower part (14), characterized by - a column (46) attached to the lower part (14), which is guided through a through-opening (44) extending through the torso (4) in the vertical direction (8) and protrudes with a projection (64) on the upper side of the torso (4) as seen in the vertical direction (8), and - a head (18) which has a (8) is placed on the projection (64),- wherein the column (46) comprises, at an exit point from the through-opening (44), a projection (66) which extends transversely to the height direction (8) beyond the through-opening (44).