Crane Driver Arrangement Above Arm Connectors for Compact Prize Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increase in the number of arms in a prize acquisition game device leads to a larger size due to the need for multiple arm drivers, which are not stored compactly, posing a challenge in maintaining a compact design.
Innovation Solution
The arm drivers are positioned above the arm connectors that connect adjacent arms to the base, tilted at an angle, allowing for a compact storage within the device, utilizing the upper space of the connectors effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of arms is increased to three or more for stable prize acquisition, then the reliability of prize acquisition is improved, but the device complexity and size increase due to multiple arm drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage space for arm drivers with the arm connector structure. Specifically, the arm drivers are positioned to extend above the arm connectors, utilizing the vertical space that would otherwise be empty. This combining of functions allows multiple arm drivers to be accommodated within a compact footprint, resolving the contradiction between needing multiple drivers for three+ arms and maintaining compact device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of arm drivers to a vertical arrangement by positioning arm drivers above arm connectors. This dimensional change in spatial organization allows the system to accommodate multiple arm drivers without increasing the horizontal footprint, thus maintaining compact device size while supporting three or more arms for stable prize acquisition.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple arm drivers are added to control three or more arms, then the functionality is improved, but the volume of the acquisition unit increases unless drivers are stored compactly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where arm drivers are positioned within the vertical envelope defined by the arm connectors. The arm drivers are housed in the space above the arm connectors, creating a nested configuration where one component (arm driver) is contained within the spatial boundary established by another component (arm connector). This nesting allows multiple drivers to be accommodated without proportionally increasing the overall acquisition unit volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the volume contradiction by changing the spatial arrangement from horizontal dispersion to vertical stacking. Arm drivers are positioned above arm connectors, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than expanding horizontally. This dimensional reorganization allows the acquisition unit to maintain a compact volume while accommodating multiple arm drivers for three or more arms.
Data Source
AI summary
A prize acquisition game device includes: a housing having a housing space in which a prize is disposed; a crane configured to acquire the prize; and a crane driver that drives the crane to move in a horizontal and vertical direction in the housing space. The crane includes: a base; at least three arms that extend radially around a central axis along a vertical direction of the base; an arm connector that is disposed for each of the arms and connects each of the arms to the base; and arm drivers that are disposed respectively for the arms around the center axis and drive the arms to be opened and closed. Among the arm drivers, an arm driver that drives one of two adjacent arms is disposed to extend above the arm connector that connects another of the two adjacent arms to the base.