Rotatable Play Ring With Fixable Flywheel for Image Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating toys, such as finger spinners, lack the ability to provide interactive gameplay by allowing children to select images on a rotating surface through abrupt stopping, and they do not offer a suitable printable surface for engaging play.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable toy featuring a freely rotatable flywheel between two disc-shaped end caps, where the end caps are designed to engage with the flywheel, allowing them to be moved relative to the flywheel to fix its position, enabling image selection by abrupt stopping, and providing a flat, printable surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flywheel is designed to rotate freely without fixation mechanisms, then the rotational freedom and ease of operation are improved, but the positional stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end caps are designed to be movable relative to the flywheel during rotation, allowing the flywheel to rotate freely. When abrupt stopping is needed for image selection, the end caps can be moved to engage with the flywheel and fix its position. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between free rotation mode and fixed position mode as needed.
2Strength
If the flywheel surface is made curved or three-dimensional, then the structural strength and durability are improved, but the printability and suitability for image display deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flywheel is designed with a locally flat surface area specifically optimized for printing images, while other parts of the structure can maintain curved or three-dimensional shapes for structural strength. The flat surface provides an ideal canvas for printing toy figures or images, while the overall flywheel structure can remain robust through its three-dimensional construction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the end caps are fixed rigidly to the flywheel, then the positional stability is improved, but the ability to abruptly stop the rotating flywheel for image selection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end caps are designed to be movable relative to the flywheel during rotation, allowing the flywheel to rotate freely. When abrupt stopping is needed for image selection, the end caps can be moved to engage with the flywheel and fix its position. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between free rotation mode and fixed position mode as 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 toy offers interactive gameplay by allowing image selection through stopping the flywheel and provides a suitable printable surface for children's play, enhancing engagement and enjoyment.
Implementation Method 1
a centered ball bearing (L)
Implementation Method 2
a centered ball bearing (L)
Implementation Method 3
a freely rotatable flywheel (S) arranged between two opposing disc-shaped end caps (K1) and (K2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~8B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rotatable play body suitable for a children's game, consisting of a freely rotatable flywheel (S) arranged between two mutually opposite disc-shaped side caps (K1) and (K2), wherein the flywheel (S) has an outer jacket (M) and a centred ball bearing (L), the first disc-shaped side cap (K1) has an outer edge (R1), an outer face (F1) and, on the inner face (11), a first centred extension (P1), the opposite second disc-shaped side cap (K2) has an outer edge (R2), an outer face (F2) and, on the inner face (12), a second centred extension (P2), and the extensions (P1) and (P2) are suitable for engaging in the flywheel (S), wherein the disc-shaped side caps (K1) and (K2) are movable at the outer edge (R1) and (R2) towards the freely rotatable flywheel (S) in order to fix the freely rotatable flywheel (S) in its position.