Guide-Channel Launcher Geometry for Anomalous Object Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing launch apparatuses, particularly toy guns, pose a safety risk due to the potential launch of anomalous objects like wooden skewers, which can cause severe injuries.
Innovation Solution
The launch apparatus incorporates a launcher element that is configured to push anomalous objects, such as wooden skewers, in a direction other than the launch direction, either upwards, downwards, or sideways, using a narrowing front portion that prevents the skewer from being launched at high speed by causing it to get stuck or be deflected against the guide channel's inner surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the guide channel is designed to accommodate various objects, then the adaptability is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to potential launch of anomalous objects
Solution Approach 1:
The launcher element features a narrowing front portion with a specific geometric configuration that creates different interaction modes for different objects. This local geometric quality differentiation causes anomalous objects to be pushed sideways while intended objects are properly launched, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of anomalous objects being launched into a beneficial safety feature. The narrowing front portion causes anomalous objects to naturally deflect sideways and get stuck against the guide channel wall, transforming what would be a dangerous situation into a safe one where the anomaly itself prevents the harmful launch.
2Productivity
If the launcher element is designed to accelerate objects efficiently, then the launch performance is improved, but the risk of launching anomalous objects at high speed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The narrowing front portion of the launcher element creates a localized geometric feature that selectively interacts with different object types. This local quality differentiation ensures that while intended objects are accelerated efficiently, anomalous objects are pushed sideways and prevented from achieving high launch speeds, thus resolving the contradiction between launch performance and injury risk.
3Ease of operation
If the guide channel allows free movement of objects, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential misalignment of objects
Solution Approach 1:
The narrowing front portion of the launcher element performs a preliminary action by pushing anomalous objects sideways before they can be accelerated. This preliminary deflection action ensures that only properly aligned intended objects are launched, while anomalous objects are redirected and stuck against the guide channel wall, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of loading and object alignment reliability.
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
This design significantly reduces the risk of injury by preventing anomalous objects from being launched, ensuring the safety of children by either stopping or redirecting them within the apparatus, thus preventing high-speed ejection.
Implementation Method 1
The at least part of the launcher element is configured to, when it is driven through the guide channel in the launch direction and when an anomalous object, such as a wooden skewer, is present in the guide channel, push the anomalous object in a direction other than the launch direction, such as upwards or downwards or sideways, preferably against an inner surface of the guide channel
Data Source
AI summary
A launch apparatus, such as a toy gun, is disclosed herein. The launch apparatus includes a launch system for launching an object that has been loaded in the launch apparatus. The launch system has a guide channel extending in a launch direction. The launch system also includes a launcher element. At least part of the launcher element is mounted in the guide channel and is movable through the guide channel along the launch direction. Further, the launch system includes a drive system for driving the at least part of the launcher element through the guide channel in the launch direction. The launcher element is configured to accelerate the loaded object for launching the loaded object from the launch apparatus when the at least part of the launcher element is driven through the guide channel in the launch direction.