Retractable Keychain Clip Illusion Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illusion devices with hidden reel mechanisms used in magic are bulky, noisy, and impractical, often requiring magicians to carry multiple key fobs or remotes, and suffer from thread breakage due to unnatural thread orientation and friction.

Innovation Solution

A compact illusion device with a rotatable spool and flat spiral torsion spring mechanism, where the thread is aligned to match the reel's rotational direction, housed in a tapered key-shaped device with a chain and keychain clip, minimizing noise and allowing discreet retraction, and appearing as a normal key to conceal the mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hidden reel mechanism is used to create the illusion of ring transfer, then the illusion effect is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and noisy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillusion effectVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reel mechanism is nested within the key fob housing, with the spool positioned inside the housing and the thread passing through the keyring hole. This nesting allows the illusion device to be compact and key-sized while still containing the necessary reel mechanism for the ring transfer illusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the housing, the spool, the thread, and the keyring hole. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the housing provides concealment, the spool provides the reel mechanism, the thread provides the connection, and the keyring hole provides the interface with the keychain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hidden reel mechanism is used to create the illusion of ring transfer, then the illusion effect is achieved, but the device generates noise during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillusion effectVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thread is made of a flexible material that can pass smoothly through the keyring hole without generating noise. The flexible nature of the thread allows it to bend and move quietly during the illusion performance, avoiding the noise problem of rigid or friction-prone thread configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Loss of information

If the thread feeds through the keys attached to the key fob, then the thread can be concealed, but friction causes the thread to break over time

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconcealmentVSAvoidthread durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thread orientation is changed to feed from the top of the key fob through the keyring hole, rather than feeding through the keys from the side. This dimensional change in thread orientation allows the thread to align with the natural flow of the keyring hole, reducing friction and preventing breakage while maintaining concealment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Device complexity

If the thread is oriented unnaturally from the side of the key housing, then the reel mechanism can be embedded, but friction increases and retraction becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereel embeddingVSAvoidthread retraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thread orientation is inverted to feed from the top of the key fob rather than from the side. This inversion allows the thread to exit the housing in a direction that is more favorable for retraction, aligning with the natural motion path and reducing friction during both extension and retraction operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 device allows for smooth and quiet retraction of the thread, reducing the risk of thread breakage and maintaining the illusion's secrecy by resembling a standard key, enabling magicians to perform illusions without the bulk and noise issues of previous devices.

Implementation Method 1

A compact illusion device with a rotatable spool and flat spiral torsion spring mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20240416255A1Illusion device having a key with retractable keychain clip

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 MESIKA YIGAL

AI summary

Described is an illusion device having a key with a retractable keychain clip. The illusion device includes a housing having a keyring hole formed therethrough. A key is attached to the housing. A rotatable spool is positioned within the housing, while a coil is attached to the rotatable spool. Thread is wrapped around the spool that extends from the keyring hole. Finally, a chain with the keychain clip is attached to the thread.