Flexible Collector Assembly for Picking Up Irregular Toy Objects

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toy vehicles with blade wheels are limited in their ability to pick up irregularly shaped objects, such as box-shaped blocks, and have a narrow dynamic range for object sizes.

Innovation Solution

A carrier vehicle with a rotatable input member and resilient, laterally flexible object guide members that deform around objects to guide them into a storage region, allowing for the collection of variously shaped items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If stiff blades are used in blade wheels, then round objects can be picked up effectively, but box-shaped blocks and irregularly shaped objects cannot be picked up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pick up different shaped objectsVSAvoidblade stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the guide members from rigid to resilient/flexible. The guide members are made of resilient material that allows them to deform elastically when contacting objects of different shapes, enabling them to wrap around and secure both round objects and box-shaped blocks effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible guide members that can deform and conform to the shape of objects being picked up. These resilient guide members act as flexible elements that wrap around objects of various geometries, providing secure engagement without requiring rigid blade structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If stiff blades are used in blade wheels, then structural strength is maintained, but the dynamic range for picking up different sized objects is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic range for object sizesVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the guide members from rigid to resilient/flexible. The guide members are made of resilient material that allows them to deform elastically when contacting objects of different shapes, enabling them to wrap around and secure both round objects and box-shaped blocks effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the guide members, allowing them to adapt their shape and position based on the size and geometry of the object being picked up. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same mechanism to handle a wide range of object sizes while maintaining secure engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If blade wheels with stiff blades are used, then picking up round objects is effective, but the devices cannot pick up irregularly shaped toy vehicles or building elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pick up irregularly shaped objectsVSAvoidmechanism simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible guide members that can deform and conform to the shape of objects being picked up. These resilient guide members act as flexible elements that wrap around objects of various geometries, providing secure engagement without requiring rigid blade structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient guide members serve multiple functions: they can pick up round objects, box-shaped blocks, and irregularly shaped toys with the same mechanism. This universal capability eliminates the need for different specialized mechanisms for different object types, simplifying the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 vehicle effectively collects a wide range of object shapes and sizes, including toy vehicles and blocks, by using resilient guide members that deform and capture objects for storage.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of object guide members are resilient and laterally flexible such that as the plurality of object guide members are driven to rotate in the first rotational direction and the at least one object is received through the at least one opening, at least some of the plurality of object guide members laterally deform around the at least one object and capture the at least one object for guiding the at least one object towards the storage region.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260001006A1Carrier vehicle for collecting objects from a surface

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 SPIN MASTER LTD

AI summary

A carrier vehicle for collecting objects from a surface is provided herein. The carrier vehicle has a vehicle body with at least one opening formed for receiving at least one object. The vehicle body also has a storage region for holding the at least one object; and a collector assembly that guides the at least one object into the storage region. The collector assembly has a rotatable input member with a plurality of object guide members connected thereto for rotating therewith. Each object guide member is resilient and laterally flexible such that as the object guide members rotate with the input member and the at least one object enters into the opening, at least some of the plurality of object guide members laterally deform around the at least one object and capture the at least one object for guiding the at least one object towards the storage region.