Toy Figurine Animated Light Pattern via Diffusive Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toy figurines lack the ability to display animated light patterns effectively, failing to create engaging and dynamic visual effects.
Innovation Solution
A toy figurine design incorporating a main body with light-diffusive regions, multiple light-emitting elements, and an opaque covering, controlled by a controller to create the illusion of moving light patterns by varying illumination rates and deillumination, making the light-emitting elements invisible until they emit light through diffusive windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If light-emitting elements are placed inside the main body to create light patterns, then the visual appeal and engagement are improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main body is divided into light-diffusive regions and non-light-diffusive regions, with the light-diffusive regions acting as windows that segment the interior cavity from the exterior view. This segmentation allows light-emitting elements to be placed inside while maintaining a clean exterior appearance and simplified manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-diffusive region acts as an intermediary between the light-emitting elements inside the main body and the user's view from outside. It diffuses the light to create the desired visual patterns while hiding the complexity of the internal light-emitting elements, thus improving visual appeal without proportionally increasing perceived device complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light-emitting elements are used to create animated patterns, then the dynamic visual effects are improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is programmed to illuminate light-emitting elements in a sequential and periodic manner rather than simultaneously. The controller illuminates a first light-emitting element, then a second light-emitting element after a predetermined period, creating animated light patterns while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to having all elements illuminated continuously.
3Illumination intensity
If the light-emitting elements are made visible, then the light output is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates when not illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The main body is designed with specific regions having different optical properties: light-diffusive regions that allow light transmission and non-light-diffusive regions that provide aesthetic appearance. This local differentiation allows the figurine to maintain aesthetic appearance when light-emitting elements are not illuminated, while providing effective light output when they are illuminated.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-diffusive region serves as an intermediary that selectively transmits light when needed while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the main body when light is not emitted. It allows the light-emitting elements to remain hidden during non-illumination periods, preserving aesthetic appearance while enabling strong light output during illumination periods.
4Shape
If opaque covering is added to hide internal components, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The covering is designed with local quality variations: light-diffusive regions that transmit and diffuse light effectively, and non-light-diffusive regions that provide aesthetic appearance and hide internal components. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing aesthetic appearance in non-light-diffusive regions while maintaining light transmission in light-diffusive regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The main body incorporates composite material properties with regions having different optical characteristics - some regions are designed to be light-diffusive while others are non-light-diffusive. This composite approach allows the figurine to simultaneously achieve aesthetic appearance through non-light-diffusive regions and effective light transmission through light-diffusive regions.
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 toy figurine successfully projects animated light patterns along its surface, providing an engaging visual experience by making the light-emitting elements appear to move and interact, enhancing user engagement and visual appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The main body includes at least one main body light-diffusive region that is composed of a light-diffusive material
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of light-emitting elements that are in the interior cavity and are spaced apart from one another. The light-emitting elements, when unilluminated are invisible to a user outside the main body, and the light-emitting elements, when illuminated, are invisible to the user outside the main body but emit light that is visible to the user outside the main body
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, a toy figurine for displaying an animated light pattern includes a main body, a plurality of light-emitting elements inside, and a controller. The light-emitting elements, when unilluminated, are invisible to a user outside the main body, and, when illuminated, are invisible to the user but emit light that is visible through a window of the main body. The controller is programmed to: a) illuminate a first light-emitting element at a first element illumination rate so as to emit first light through the window, b) illuminate a second light-emitting element at a second element illumination rate so as to emit through the light-diffusive window, second light which overlaps with the first light, and c) after step b) has begun, deilluminate the first light-emitting element at a first selected deillumination rate, so as to generate an appearance of light that travels along the window.