Optical Maze Toy with Movable Light Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional maze toys become uninteresting once the correct path is discovered, and users are familiar with the design, leading to a lack of novelty.
Innovation Solution
An optical maze toy featuring a frame with movable emitting and receiving parts, light guiding elements, and a power source, allowing the relative positions of light guiding parts to be changed, which uses light sensors and feedback mechanisms to guide users through a dynamic path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the maze path is fixed, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user interest decreases after finding the correct path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the light guiding parts movable rather than fixed. The light guiding parts can be repositioned along the containing structure, allowing the maze path to change dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural simplicity through standardized components while achieving path variability through their movable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the maze into separate functional components: emitting part, receiving part, and multiple light guiding parts. Each segment can be independently positioned and repositioned, enabling the maze path to be reconfigured without redesigning the entire structure. This segmentation allows easy manufacture of individual components while enabling versatile path configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the maze path can be changed, then user interest and novelty are maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containing structure serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework, contains the light guiding parts, and acts as a track for their movement. The light guiding parts themselves serve dual functions as both structural elements and optical elements. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining path variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding parts are designed to be self-contained units that can be independently positioned and repositioned by the user without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the user's simple action of moving the light guiding parts to achieve path reconfiguration, avoiding the need for motors, sensors, or control systems.
3Ease of operation
If traditional maze toys are used, then users are familiar with the design, but the toy lacks novelty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical maze structure with an optical system. Instead of physically moving maze pieces or using mechanical indicators, the invention uses light emission, light guiding, and light sensing to indicate the correct path. This substitution maintains ease of operation through intuitive light-based feedback while providing novelty through the optical mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light color and presence as indicators to guide the user. The emitting part emits light that travels through the light guiding parts to the receiving part, providing visual feedback about the correct path. This use of light color and presence adds a new dimension to the familiar maze gameplay, creating novelty while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Provides a novel and engaging experience by changing the maze path dynamically, maintaining user interest through the use of light guidance and feedback signals, making the toy more challenging and less predictable.
Implementation Method 1
The emitting part includes at least one light source for emitting light
Implementation Method 2
The receiving part includes a light sensor for sensing the light
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of light guiding parts is located in the container for changing the direction of the light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical toy is disclosed. The optical toy includes a frame, at least one emitting part, at least one receiving part, a plurality of light guiding parts, and at least one power source. The frame includes a container and at least one containing structure. The emitting part is movably located on the containing structure. The emitting part includes at least one light source for emitting light. The receiving part is movably located on the containing structure. The receiving part includes a light sensor for sensing the light. The plurality of light guiding parts is located in the container for changing the direction of the light. The relative positions of the plurality of light guiding parts can be changed. The power source is located in the frame for providing power to the optical toy.