Elastomeric Pop-Up Toy with Molded Knob for Reliable Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hemispherical pop-up toys face issues with material thickness and durometer balance, leading to inconsistent inversion and energy storage, and are prone to separation of the knob from the elastomeric body, causing reliability and predictability problems.
Innovation Solution
A pop action toy assembly with an elastomeric body featuring a molded knob at the central apex and symmetrically positioned nubs on the surface, which concentrates impact force to ensure consistent popping and energy release, eliminating the need for holes and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hole is formed in the hemispherical body to accommodate a separate knob, then the toy can be inverted and popped, but the knob may separate from the body as the material ages and cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The knob is molded as an integral part of the elastomeric body, eliminating the separate hole and attachment interface. This merging of the knob and body into a single monolithic structure prevents separation cracks while maintaining the inversion and popping functionality.
2Strength
If the elastomeric material is made thicker or with higher durometer, then the structural integrity improves, but the half ball bends back too quickly and loses inversion stability
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material thickness is optimized locally - thicker at the base rim for structural support and integral knob formation, while maintaining appropriate thickness distribution in the body to allow controlled bending and sustained inversion without premature rebound.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the elastomeric material is made thinner or with lower durometer, then the inversion stability improves, but the energy storage capability decreases and the pop action is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The durometer and thickness parameters of the elastomeric material are precisely balanced to achieve optimal performance - sufficient thickness and durometer to store adequate elastic energy for a strong pop, while maintaining inversion stability through controlled material properties and geometric design.
4Ease of operation
If the half ball is dropped to activate it, then the activation is simple, but the half ball will only activate if it strikes the ground flush on its base or apex
Solution Approach 1:
The toy is pre-configured with a protruding knob that extends beyond the apex, and the user manually inverts the toy by pressing the knob. This preliminary manual inversion ensures the toy is properly positioned for reliable pop activation upon dropping, eliminating the need for precise strike positioning.
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 design provides consistent and predictable popping action with increased energy storage and durability, allowing the toy to pop back into its original shape reliably and maintain flight stability, with the nubs ensuring effective force concentration and the knob enhancing mass and stability.
Implementation Method 1
When a half ball is inverted it stores energy like a spring. If the inverted ball were dropped or touched, the half ball would pop back into its hemispherical shape, thereby releasing the stored energy.
Data Source
AI summary
A pop action toy assembly having an elastomeric body that is defined primarily by a first surface and a second surface. The elastomeric body is selectively positionable between a normal orientation, where the first surface faces outwardly, and an inverted orientation, where the second surface faces outwardly. In use, the elastomeric body is manually inverted. As the inverted body strikes the ground, the toy assembly pops from an inverted orientation back into its normal orientation. A knob is molded at part of the elastomeric body. The knob can be used to hold the toy assembly when inverted. If the toy assembly is inverted and strikes the ground, the knob act to increase the rebounding force by adding significant mass to the moving apex of the toy assembly.