Pneumatic Actuator for Interactive Toy Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to increase customer interest in portable containers, as retailers seek innovative ways to enhance their appeal.

Innovation Solution

The development of active portable containers with user-controlled moveable elements, utilizing an actuator assembly that includes a collapsible structure and a remote actuator with flexible layers, which are air-powered to animate features such as limbs or body parts, allowing for thematic configurations like animals or monsters, thereby engaging users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If moveable elements are added to portable containers to increase customer interest, then customer interest and engagement are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer interestVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs air pressure as the actuating mechanism to control moveable elements. A bulb is compressed to generate air pressure that travels through a conduit to inflate an air bladder, which then actuates the moveable element. This pneumatic system provides a simple, reliable, and easy-to-manufacture solution for adding interactivity to portable containers without requiring complex electrical or mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If air-powered actuators are used to animate features, then interactivity and engagement are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteractivityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a pneumatic system with a compressible bulb, conduit, and air bladder to actuate moveable elements. This approach avoids complex electrical components, motors, or batteries, making the system easier to manufacture and assemble. The pneumatic components can be integrated into the container structure using standard manufacturing techniques for flexible and rigid materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The actuation system is divided into separate functional components: the bulb for generating air pressure, the conduit for transmitting air, and the air bladder for actuating the moveable element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using appropriate materials and processes, then assembled together, simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively increases customer interest by providing interactive and engaging portable containers that can be controlled by users, enhancing their thematic appeal and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

collapsing the collapsible support structure expels a quantity of air from a first actuating volume of the collapsible support structure through a first actuating port... an increased air pressure, responsive to the quantity of air expelled from the first actuating volume, is communicated to a remote actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

each the portion of air flowing in a flexible conduit connecting the first air cavity to the second air cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8926394B1Article of manufacture with moveable element

Publication Date: 2015.01.06 FAS DESIGN LLC

AI summary

A system and method for increasing customer interest in articles of manufacture, including containers and plush toys. A set of actuating components are coupled to moveable elements of the article of manufacture, the moveable elements respond to operation of an user-controlled actuating mechanism.