Tilting Surface Game Mixer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-to-head tilting games are often unbalanced due to strength disparities between players, leading to reduced enjoyment as success depends on comparative strength and tilting mechanisms can result in bouncy playing pieces and inoperative actuators.
Innovation Solution
A game apparatus featuring a bowl-shaped playing surface with independent pulley and gimbal systems allowing players to tilt the surface along orthogonal axes, ensuring balanced gameplay by mixing player input signals through mechanical or electrical mixers, eliminating the need for strength-based tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If players use strength-based tilting mechanisms to tilt the playing surface, then the tilting action is simple and direct, but the game becomes unbalanced due to strength disparities between players
Solution Approach 1:
A mixing mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the players' tilting inputs and the actual playing surface tilt. The mixing mechanism combines inputs from both players along orthogonal axes, so that the final tilt direction and magnitude depend on the vector sum of both players' actions rather than raw strength comparison. This mediator ensures balanced gameplay while maintaining simple operational controls.
2Speed
If players directly tilt the playing surface without mixing inputs, then the response is immediate and direct, but the playing pieces bounce due to rough tilting motion
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing mechanism dynamically combines player inputs along orthogonal axes, allowing smooth transition between different tilt directions and magnitudes. This dynamic mixing prevents abrupt, rough tilting motions that cause bouncing, while still maintaining fast response to player actions. The system adapts the tilt output based on the combination of both players' continuous inputs.
3Device complexity
If simple tilting mechanisms are used, then the device structure is simple, but certain actuators may be taken out of play reducing game enjoyment
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing mechanism allows both players to utilize the same orthogonal axis system for tilting, making the actuators universally functional regardless of which player is operating them. Each player can independently control tilt along both axes through the mixing mechanism, ensuring all actuators remain in play and functional throughout the game, enhancing versatility while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
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 solution provides balanced and smooth tilting, independent of player strength, allowing both offensive and defensive maneuvers, ensuring that the game's outcome is based on strategy rather than physical strength, enhancing gameplay experience.
Implementation Method 1
Two sets of pulleys located beneath a gimbled playing surface. Four rotatable dials are spaced about the periphery of the game. One pair of opposed dials acts upon the first pulley system and associated gamble pivots to tilt the surface along a first axis.
Implementation Method 2
Two sets of pulleys located beneath a gimbled playing surface. Each of the two sets of pulleys and gimbals acts independently of the other, thus allowing one or more players to tilt the playing field in any direction.
Implementation Method 3
A slightly bowl-shaped playing surface that angles downward from a peripheral edge of the circular playing surface to a centrally located hole. Weighted balls are ejected on to the playing surface during play.
Data Source
AI summary
A head-to-head tilting surface game, comprising a playing surface tiltable along two orthogonal axes and configured to support moving playing pieces thereon and having a goal area. Each of a first pair of controls is disposed adjacent opposite peripheral edges of the playing surface along a first of the two orthogonal axes. Each of the first pair of controls is independently actuatable to result in a respective move signal. A first mixer is coupled between the first pair of controls and tilting surface to combine move signals from respective controls into a first axis tilt response and impart said first axis tilt response to the playing surface, whereby the playing pieces supported on the playing surface move responsive to the first axis tilt response imparted to the playing surface so that the playing pieces can be moved toward the goal area.