Robot Toy Directional Control via Arm and Leg Thrust Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot toys face difficulties in controlling the direction of their movement, making it challenging for two toy robots to face each other during play fighting.
Innovation Solution
A robot toy design featuring a control unit, arm-actuating mechanisms, thrust mechanisms, and a driving unit that allows for easy direction control by using biasing forces and lever mechanisms to extend arms and push against the floor, enabling precise movement and interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the robot-toy body moves forward by the impact force produced in stopping the rotation of the torso, then the body can move forward, but it becomes difficult to control the direction in which the body moves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the movement control into separate functions: torso rotation for generating movement force, and independent arm/leg actuators for directional control. The arm-actuating mechanisms and thrust mechanisms are controlled separately from the torso rotation, allowing direction to be adjusted without affecting the generation of movement force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamically controllable elements (arm-actuating mechanisms and thrust mechanisms) that can be activated at different times and in different combinations to control movement direction. The controller selectively activates these mechanisms based on desired direction, enabling dynamic directional adjustment while maintaining movement force from torso rotation.
2Ease of operation
If arm-actuating mechanisms and thrust mechanisms are provided to enable directional control, then direction control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the arm-actuating mechanisms and thrust mechanisms to serve multiple functions: they control movement direction, generate propulsive force through coordinated action, and can be controlled in various combinations for different movement patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the control of arm-actuating mechanisms and thrust mechanisms under a single controller that coordinates their operation. The controller integrates the control signals for both mechanisms, allowing them to work together as a unified system for directional control, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite adding functional capabilities.
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
Enables easy control of the robot toy's movement direction, allowing for effective forward movement and interaction between multiple robot toys, enhancing play fighting scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
each of the right and left arms is pulled back by a predetermined biasing force in a normal condition
Implementation Method 2
each of the thrust mechanisms allows the corresponding leg to push a support, e.g., a floor so that the leg moves forward
Implementation Method 3
each of the thrust mechanisms allows the corresponding leg to push a support, e.g., a floor so that the leg moves forward
Implementation Method 4
a clutch mechanism which locks the wheel when the bottom end portion of the lever moves backward, and which releases the wheel when the bottom end portion of the lever moves forward
Data Source
AI summary
A robot toy includes a body and a controller. The body includes right and left arms, legs, arm-actuating mechanisms, thrust mechanisms, and a driving unit. The arms can be extended forward and back, and are pulled back by a predetermined biasing force in a normal condition. The arm-actuating mechanisms are provided at the respective arms and allow the corresponding arms to be extended and pulled back. The thrust mechanisms are provided at the respective legs and allow the corresponding legs to move forward. The driving unit drives one of a pair of the left arm-actuating mechanism and the left thrust mechanism and a pair of the right arm-actuating mechanism and the right thrust mechanism. The driving unit simultaneously drives the arm-actuating mechanism and the thrust mechanism in the same pair.