Steering Device Cardan Joint Mechanism for Ride-On Toys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices for ride-on toys, biomimetic four-legged ride-on toys, and ride-on amusement facilities lack flexibility, preventing riders from freely steering the toys when moving up and down, resulting in a poor steering experience and a lack of fun during riding.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a handle, handle push-pull rod, cardan joint, steering connection piece, and pair of steering rods that allows for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, enabling flexible steering regardless of the rider's up or down movement, simulating a real 'horse riding' experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional steering device is used for ride-on toys, then the structure is simple, but the steering flexibility is poor and riders cannot freely steer when moving up and down
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device incorporates a cardan joint mechanism that enables dynamic adaptation to rider movements. The cardan joint allows the steering connection piece to rotate and adjust its orientation automatically when the rider moves up and down, maintaining steering flexibility without requiring complex active control systems. This dynamic passive adaptation resolves the contradiction between steering flexibility and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device is divided into multiple independent functional segments: handle unit, cardan joint, steering connection piece, and steering rods. Each segment performs a specific function and can move independently, allowing the system to achieve complex steering capabilities through simple modular components rather than a monolithic complex structure.
2Ease of operation
If a rigid steering connection is used, then the structure is stable, but the rider cannot steer freely when moving up and down
Solution Approach 1:
The cardan joint introduces controlled dynamic freedom to the steering connection. It allows rotational movement in multiple directions while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the connection to adapt to rider movements automatically. This dynamic connection provides both operational freedom and structural stability without requiring active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The cardan joint acts as an intermediary element between the handle unit and the steering connection piece. It mediates the transmission of steering inputs while accommodating rider movements, allowing smooth power and motion transmission without rigid direct connection or complex active control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering device allows free rotation, then the steering experience is flexible, but the control precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cardan joint provides dynamic freedom for wide steering ranges while maintaining stable power transmission. The joint's rotational degrees of freedom allow the steering connection piece to adapt to various orientations, ensuring both wide steering capability and reliable control transmission without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex active control systems with a passive mechanical cardan joint mechanism. This mechanical substitution achieves both wide steering range and adequate control precision through purely mechanical means, eliminating the need for sensors, actuators, or electronic control systems that would add complexity.
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 steering device provides a flexible steering experience, allowing riders to easily steer the ride-on toy forward, backward, left, or right while moving up and down, enhancing the fun and realism of the riding experience.
Implementation Method 1
a joint (4, 5, 6) connecting the handle unit to the steering connection piece (7), wherein the cardan joint upper bracket (4) is rotatable about an axis (al) perpendicular to the first rotational axis (A1) and extending in the left and right direction
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device includes a handle unit; a steering connection piece; a joint connecting the handle unit to the steering connection piece; a steering connection rod movably connected to the steering connection piece; and a pair of steering rods each rotatably connected to the steering connection rod. In response to a rotation of the handle unit about a first rotational axis, the joint is configured to force the steering connection piece to rotate along with the handle unit about the first rotational axis to cause a shift of the steering connection rod along a first direction perpendicular to the first rotational axis, and the pair of steering rods is configured to rotate about second and third rotational axes, respectively, in response to the shift of the steering connection rod.