Modular Amusement Element With Swivel Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement articles are limited in size and playability when used as 'surprises' in shell-type or capsule-type containers, and lack versatility when not associated with these containers.
Innovation Solution
A modular amusement article design featuring a plastic body with a hub and contour region connected by spokes, incorporating alternating swivel-coupling recesses and toothed sectors for radial and axial coupling, allowing for various modes of use such as pendants, modular toys, and wheeled vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If amusement articles are designed to fit inside shell-type or capsule-type containers, then they can be used as surprise gifts in foodstuff products, but their dimensions are limited to a few centimetres
Solution Approach 1:
The amusement article is divided into multiple separable components that can be assembled together. Each component is small enough to fit inside container (5cm axial dimension, 3.5cm diametral dimension), but when assembled they form a larger, more complex structure with enhanced playability and multiple application possibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed to nest within each other or connect in nested configurations, allowing compact storage inside the container while enabling expanded assembled structures. The components can be stored within the container when not in use, and assembled when needed.
2Length of moving object
If amusement articles are made small to fit in containers, then they can be inserted in shell-type or capsule-type containers, but their playability and number of application possibilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each modular component is designed with multiple coupling elements (swivel-coupling recesses, toothed sectors, spherical heads) that enable it to perform multiple functions and connect in various configurations. The same component can serve different purposes depending on how it is assembled with other components, enhancing playability without increasing individual component size.
Solution Approach 2:
The amusement article incorporates movable and adjustable components that can be configured in multiple ways. The swivel-coupling mechanisms and articulated connections allow dynamic reconfiguration, enabling the same set of components to create different structures and play scenarios, thereby increasing playability within size constraints.
3Device complexity
If amusement articles use simple designs to minimize manufacturing complexity, then production cost is reduced, but connection options and configurations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into standardized, repeatable coupling elements that can be molded into the plastic components during manufacturing. These segmented coupling features (recesses, toothed sectors, spherical heads) are integrated into the component design, allowing complex connection capabilities without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements use homogeneous materials and standardized geometries that can be efficiently manufactured using injection molding or similar processes. The repeated use of similar coupling features across different components allows for tooling reuse and simplified production, maintaining manufacturing efficiency while providing multiple connection options.
Data Source
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AI summary
An element (10) of amusement articles includes: a flat body with two opposite faces (10a, 10b), a hub region (12), and a contour region (14) around the hub region ( 12 ), a plurality of coupling elements arranged facing one another along the contour region (14) in an alternating sequence of first coupling elements (18) and second coupling elements (16, 28), wherein the first coupling elements are in the form of swivel- coupling recesses (18) and the second coupling elements are chosen from between: a) toothed coupling sectors (16); and b) swivel-engagement heads (28) complementary to said swivel-coupling recesses (18), and complementary axial-engagement formations (20a, 20b) provided on one (10a) and the other (10b) of said opposite faces. The element (10) may be used as pendant or necklace, as component of a modular construction toy, possibly with different possibilities of connection, such as (e.g., radial and axial) coupling and swivel connection, as wheel (e.g., for providing models of wheeled vehicles), and/or for creating toys, such as statuettes or "characters" with added parts, which may be articulated. The element (10) may be used for creating, for example, surprises to be put in chocolate eggs and the like.