Soft Projectile Suction Cup Attachment Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soft projectiles with suction cups designed for toy shooting devices detach easily when tension is applied, leading to a choking hazard due to the radial contraction of the fixing stem and peeling away of the adhesive, posing a safety risk to children.
Innovation Solution
A soft projectile design featuring a tubular body with an embedded fixing anchor, a retaining disc, and a suction cup, where the disc is embedded within the soft head material and secured with adhesive, preventing radial contraction and detachment under tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a soft fixing stem is used to attach the suction cup to the tubular body, then the suction cup can be securely attached initially, but under tension the fixing stem extends longitudinally and contracts radially causing the adhesive to peel away and the parts to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing stem is divided into multiple segments that can expand radially when tension is applied. Each segment contains protrusions that engage with corresponding recesses in the tubular body, creating multiple attachment points that distribute the tensile load and prevent radial contraction that would cause adhesive failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing stem transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic expandable structure. When tension is applied during normal use, the stem expands radially to increase engagement with the tubular body, maintaining attachment strength under load conditions rather than contracting as in the prior design.
2Ease of operation
If the suction cup is made small for better aiming and control, then the toy gun becomes easier to handle, but the detached suction cup presents a choking danger to small children
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup, fixing stem, and retaining structure are merged into a single integrated assembly that cannot detach. The expanding fixing stem creates permanent engagement features within the tubular body, ensuring the small suction cup remains securely attached and cannot become a separate choking hazard.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of the small suction cup detaching and becoming a choking hazard is converted into a benefit by designing the fixing mechanism to prevent detachment entirely. The same small size that enables better aiming now represents a safety improvement since the cup cannot separate and be swallowed.
3Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is used to secure the fixing stem to the tubular body, then initial attachment is achieved, but under tension the adhesive peels away toward the inner end of the fixing stem until detachment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing stem incorporates multiple radial protrusions that segment the attachment interface along the length of the stem. Each protrusion creates a separate engagement point with the tubular body, distributing the tensile stress across multiple locations and preventing the concentrated peeling action that causes adhesive failure in the prior design.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism transitions from relying solely on axial adhesive bonding to incorporating radial mechanical engagement. The protrusions extend radially outward to engage with recesses in the tubular body, creating a three-dimensional interlocking structure that resists tensile forces in addition to the adhesive bond.
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 design enhances safety by preventing the projectile from breaking apart when tension is applied, reducing the risk of choking hazards and ensuring the suction cup remains securely attached to surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The suction cup at the leading end attaches the projectile to the smooth surface until such time as a child removes it
Implementation Method 2
Adhesive 6 underneath the flange 7 and about the fixing stem 5 secures the suction cup 4 to the tubular body 3
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile for a toy shooting device includes a tubular body, a head molded of soft material, an anchor partially embedded in the head and comprising a fixing stem extending into and adhered to the tubular body.