Rotatable Projectile Feed Assembly for Toy Launcher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toy guns designed for safe projectile launch are limited by the need for frequent reloading due to their design constraints, which restrict the number of projectiles that can be launched without causing injury, unlike BB guns that can fire multiple projectiles without reloading.
Innovation Solution
A toy launcher with a rotatable projectile feed assembly that houses a plurality of receiving bodies along its length, allowing multiple projectiles to be stored and launched sequentially, reducing the need for frequent reloading by using a user interface to advance projectiles towards an accelerator for launch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If toy guns are designed to launch safe projectiles with substantial dimensions, then injury risk to individuals is reduced, but the number of projectiles that can be stored and launched without reloading is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile feed assembly is divided into multiple receiving bodies (tubes) arranged in a circular pattern, with each tube capable of holding multiple projectiles. This segmentation allows the system to store a large quantity of projectiles while maintaining safe projectile dimensions, resolving the contradiction between safety and quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving bodies are arranged in a circular pattern around a central axis, utilizing radial space rather than linear storage. This dimensional arrangement maximizes the number of projectiles that can be stored within the launcher's volume, allowing substantial storage capacity without increasing the launcher's overall footprint.
2Productivity
If toy guns are designed to store a large quantity of projectiles, then the number of shots between reloading increases, but the projectiles may cause substantial injury when traveling at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile feed assembly uses multiple receiving bodies with different orientations and positions, allowing projectiles to be fed from various locations. This local differentiation enables efficient projectile delivery while maintaining safe projectile characteristics, resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If projectiles are designed with substantial length, width, and depth to reduce injury risk, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for specialized feed mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile feed assembly incorporates a rotatable mechanism that dynamically positions receiving bodies to align with the launch mechanism. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to handle substantial projectiles efficiently, resolving the contradiction between safety and device complexity by automating the feeding process.
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 the safe launch of a large number of projectiles without the need for frequent reloading, increasing the number of shots before requiring a reload and ensuring projectiles are designed to minimize injury risk.
Implementation Method 1
a projectile launching assembly that can include at least one accelerator that may be located substantially near the distal end of at least one of the receiving bodies
Implementation Method 2
the projectile can be a three dimensional object that can have a substantial length, substantial width, and/or substantial depth such that the three dimensional object can frictionally interact with a rotating body
Data Source
AI summary
According to an exemplary embodiment, a toy dart launcher comprises a housing defining an interior recess and a launch assembly. The launch assembly is at least partially disposed within the interior recess and comprises: a projectile feed, a slidable frame, and a launch mechanism. The projectile feed is rotatably disposed within the interior recess and comprises a plurality of receiving chambers each adapted to receive one or more projectiles. The slidable frame has at least one engagement finger rotatably disposed thereon, and is movable with respect to the projectile feed so that the at least one engagement finger can engage and move at least one projectile through at least one receiving chamber. The launch mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the projectile feed and is configured to create a pressure differential about the at least one projectile so that the at least one projectile can be launched from the housing.