Perforated Vessel Water-Driven Track Segment Racing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toy vehicle track sets lack variations in play value, especially when used in water environments, as existing designs do not effectively incorporate water to enhance racing features and amusement.
Innovation Solution
A track set with a pivotally mounted first track segment and a perforated vessel that maintains the segment in a starting position with a predetermined amount of water, allowing toy vehicles to be held until the water drains, triggering a movement to a second track segment, enabling a racing mechanism through a gap, and incorporating triggers and trap doors for competitive racing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pivotally mounted track segment with a perforated vessel is used to create a water-driven racing mechanism, then play value and amusement are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track set is divided into multiple segments including a first track segment and a second track segment, with the first track segment being pivotally mounted. This segmentation allows the track to be configured in different positions (first position and second position) to create varied racing paths and mechanisms, thereby enhancing play value while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated vessel serves multiple functions: it acts as a water container, a weight mechanism for pivoting the track segment, and a drainage system. By combining these functions into a single component, the invention enhances play value through water-driven racing mechanisms without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Reliability
If the first track segment is elevated from the second track segment to hold toy vehicles, then racing mechanism effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first track segment is designed to be pivotally mounted rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically transition between a first position (elevated) and a second position (lower). This dynamic configuration enables the track to hold toy vehicles at an elevated position for effective racing while accommodating manufacturing tolerances through its movable nature, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If water is used to pivot the track segment and trigger racing, then play value is enhanced, but water drainage time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The racing mechanism operates through periodic cycles: water is added to the perforated vessel to pivot the first track segment to the first position (holding vehicles), then water drains through the perforations to pivot the segment to the second position (releasing vehicles). This periodic action creates repeated racing opportunities, enhancing play value while the drainage time becomes a controlled part of the racing cycle rather than a loss
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 solution enhances play value by initiating a racing mechanism using water drainage to pivot the track segment, allowing toy vehicles to traverse and compete, with gravity generating sufficient velocity for racing and triggers determining the winner, adding an interactive and competitive element to toy vehicle racing.
Implementation Method 1
a predetermined amount of water in the perforated vessel will maintain the first track segment in the first position... until an amount of water in the perforated vessel is less than the predetermined amount and the first track segment moves from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
a perforated vessel secured to the first end of the first track segment, wherein a predetermined amount of water in the perforated vessel will maintain the first track segment in the first position
Implementation Method 3
with gravity generating sufficient velocity for racing
Data Source
AI summary
A track set is disclosed herein, the track set having: a first track segment pivotally mounted to the track set for movement between a first position and a second position, the first track segment having a first end and a second end; a perforated vessel secured to the first end of the first track segment, wherein a predetermined amount of water in the perforated vessel will maintain the first track segment in the first position; a second track segment mounted to the track set, the second end of the first track segment being spaced from a receiving end of the second track segment and the second end of the first track segment being elevated from the receiving end of the second track segment when the first track segment is in the first position, wherein at least one toy vehicle positioned proximate to the first end of the first track segment will be held there until an amount of water in the perforated vessel is less than the predetermined amount and the first track segment moves from the first position to the second position, wherein the least one toy vehicle travels away from the first end of the first track segment to the second track segment by traversing a gap between the second end of the first track segment and the receiving end of the second track segment.