Motorized Gear Building Set with Safety Clutch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy building sets with mechanical gears lack the ability to rotate gears synchronously and create visually interesting patterns, and often lack safety features to prevent accidents during use.
Innovation Solution
A building set comprising a motor-driven system of intermeshed gears and cogs mounted on perforated panels, which can rotate synchronously and include safety features like a safety clutch to prevent injuries, with optional lighting effects for enhanced visual interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a motor-driven system with intermeshed gears is implemented, then synchronous rotation and visual patterns are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-driven system serves multiple functions: it provides synchronous rotation of gears, creates visual patterns through coordinated movement, and can be configured in various arrangements on perforated panels. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular components including individual gears, perforated panels, and a motor unit. Each gear can be independently positioned on the panels, allowing flexible configuration while maintaining synchronous rotation. This segmentation enables easier assembly and adjustment, partially offsetting the complexity increase.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If safety features like safety clutch are added, then user safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety clutch is pre-installed in the motor-driven system to prevent harmful effects before they occur. It acts as a protective mechanism that engages automatically under unsafe conditions, cushioning against potential injuries without requiring user intervention or complex external safety systems.
3Illumination intensity
If lighting effects are added to gears, then visual appeal is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting effects are implemented as periodic or intermittent illumination rather than continuous lighting. This allows the visual appeal to be enhanced during specific moments or phases of operation, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining the desired visual impact when needed.
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 system allows for the creation of rotating gear patterns with increased user safety and visual appeal, enhancing the educational and entertainment value of the building set.
Implementation Method 1
A motor that is configured to rotate or spin at least one of the gears is also disposed on a perforated panel
Implementation Method 2
systems, methods, and devices for a spinning educational building set comprising a plurality of intermeshed, rotating gears
Data Source
AI summary
Motorized building set system with interlocked gears. A system includes a perforated panel, wherein the perforated panel comprises a plurality of holes disposed therethrough. The system includes a gear comprising a plurality of gear teeth and a central bore and an attachment device configured to releasably attach the gear to the perforated panel. The system includes a motor in mechanical communication with the gear and a safety clutch in mechanical communication with the motor.