Toy Racetrack Moveable Obstacle Capture Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy racetracks lack features that require user timing and orientation to capture toy vehicles, which limits the excitement and engagement for children during play.
Innovation Solution
A toy racetrack with a moveable obstacle, such as a net carried by an action figure, that can be manually or automatically positioned to capture toy vehicles, allowing them to be caught or pass through depending on the user's timing and action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a moveable obstacle is added to the racetrack to capture toy vehicles, then the excitement and engagement for children is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle is made moveable between a first position (blocking the pathway) and a second position (clearing the pathway). This dynamic positioning allows the obstacle to transition between capturing and non-capturing states, adding excitement and engagement while maintaining manageable complexity through a straightforward mechanical movement system.
2Reliability
If the obstacle is positioned to capture the toy vehicle, then the capture function is improved, but the timing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle is positioned in the first position (blocking the pathway) before the toy vehicle arrives at the capture zone. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the vehicle enters the designated area, the obstacle is already in place to capture it, improving capture reliability while reducing the need for complex real-time timing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the obstacle blocks the entire pathway to ensure capture, then the capture reliability is improved, but the ability for other vehicles to continue on the track deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The racetrack is divided into a capture zone and a continuing pathway. The obstacle is positioned to block only the capture zone (first position) while leaving the continuing pathway open. This segmentation allows the system to capture vehicles reliably in the designated area while enabling other vehicles to bypass the obstacle and continue on the track without interruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A toy racetrack having an obstacle that is moved into and out of the path of a toy vehicle travelling along the racetrack is provided. The racetrack includes a closed loop track and may include a booster mechanism for propelling a toy vehicle along the track. The obstacle may be formed by a movable web or net with an opening that can be used to catch a toy vehicle traveling along the track. A support tower is located adjacent the track, and an obstacle carrier, optionally including an action figure, is movably mounted to the support tower. The figure holds the net, and the figure and net are movable between a raised position and a lowered position. When the net is in its lowered position, a toy vehicle traveling along the track is captured by the net when the net is manually positioned in a capture position.