Spinning Top Launcher Locking Mechanism Prevents Erroneous Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinning top launching devices often result in erroneous launching and potential damage when the spinning top toy is not properly secured, leading to collisions with external obstacles due to unintended rotation of unmounted holders during operation.
Innovation Solution
A spinning top launching device equipped with a rotation driving mechanism, first and second holders, a cap, and locking mechanisms that prevent erroneous launching by ensuring the cap is mounted on the holder before operation, allowing the spinning top to be launched only when securely positioned and locked in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation unit is unlocked to allow launching, then the spinning top can be launched, but the unmounted holder may rotate and collide with external obstacles causing destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism performs a preliminary check before allowing operation: it verifies that the cap is mounted on one holder before unlocking the operation unit. This preliminary action prevents the harmful scenario where an unmounted holder rotates and collides with obstacles, while still allowing normal operation when properly configured.
2Productivity
If the cap is mounted on the holder to enable launching, then the spinning top can be launched, but erroneous launching may occur when the cap is mounted incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism provides feedback about the cap's mounting state to the operation unit's lockable/unlockable state. When the cap is mounted correctly (allowing the holder to rotate freely), the operation unit unlocks. When the cap is mounted incorrectly (blocking holder rotation), the operation unit remains locked. This feedback mechanism prevents erroneous launching by ensuring only proper configurations can be operated.
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism checks cap mounting status, then erroneous launching is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking mechanism with the existing cap and holder structure. The lockable/unlockable state of the operation unit is directly coupled to the cap mounting status through the holder's rotational freedom. This integration allows the locking function to be achieved without adding completely separate control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliable launching control.
Data Source
AI summary
A first locking mechanism is configured to block rotating the first and second holders by locking an operation component or by locking the first and second holders when the cap is not mounted on one of the first and second holders, and is configured to unlock rotating the first and second holders by being engaged with the cap when the cap is mounted on one of the first and second holders and when the cap is arranged to face upwardly towards a upper side. A second locking mechanism is configured to block rotating the first and second holders by locking the operation component or by locking the first and second holders when the cap is mounted on one of the first and second holders and when the cap is arranged to face downwardly to a lower side opposite to the upper side.