Interactive Toy Housing with Hidden Light Transfer and Breakout
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a desire for innovative toy characters that interact with users and provide rewards based on interaction, while existing robotic pets lack engaging and interactive features.
Innovation Solution
A toy assembly with a housing containing a removable inner object, sensors, light emitting elements, and a control system that responds to user interaction by operating the light emitting elements and potentially breaking the housing to reveal the inner object, utilizing a drive train and motor system for movement and interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the motor operates at high speed directly to drive the breakout member, then the response speed is improved, but the noise level and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drive train as an intermediary mechanism between the high-speed motor and the breakout member. This drive train includes transmission components that mediate the power delivery, reducing the direct transmission of high-speed motor vibrations and noise to the breakout member while still enabling rapid response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling with a more complex transmission system that includes gear trains and belt drives. This substitution allows the motor to operate at optimal high speeds while the transmission system manages the mechanical stresses and noise generation, separating the high-speed operation from the heavy mechanical action.
2Strength
If the housing is made thick and strong to protect the inner object, then the protection is improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple segments or panels that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows for optimized thickness in different areas - thicker where protection is needed and thinner where weight reduction is prioritized - while maintaining overall structural integrity through the assembly structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the housing, combining materials with different properties to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the housing to be sufficiently strong to protect the inner object while minimizing overall weight compared to uniform solid construction.
3Ease of operation
If the light emitting elements are positioned to be visible from the exterior, then the visual feedback is improved, but the aesthetic appeal and surprise factor decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light transfer member as an intermediary between the light emitting elements and the exterior. This member guides and redirects the light from hidden light sources to visible areas, enabling visual feedback without requiring the light emitting elements themselves to be externally visible, thus preserving aesthetic appeal and surprise.
Solution Approach 2:
The light transfer member may utilize optical properties such as color filtering or light redirection to create visual effects. By controlling which wavelengths of light are transmitted and where they are directed, the system provides engaging visual feedback while maintaining the hidden nature of the light emitting elements themselves.
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 assembly provides interactive and rewarding experiences by revealing the inner object through user interaction, enhancing engagement and surprise, while minimizing noise and manufacturing costs through a compact and efficient drive train design.
Implementation Method 1
The light transfer member is shaped to transmit light therethrough from the light inlet to the light outlet using total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided, and includes a housing, an inner object, a sensor, an LED, and a control system. The housing is light transmissive, and has a light transfer member inside having a light inlet and a light outlet, positioned to direct light into the housing so as to render the light visible. The LED directs light at the light inlet of the light transfer member so as to transmit the light through it into and through the housing so as to be visible from the exterior of the housing. The control system is programmed to execute instructions, to operate the at least one light emitting element if a condition is met.