Toy Building Turntable with Variable Holding Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toy building sets with rotation shafts and bushings have limited holding force, restricting their use in construction due to the force required for interconnection, and often require pre-assembled turntables that cannot be dismounted without damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a third type of building element with complementary coupling means that reduces the force needed for snap connection, allowing for three levels of holding force: requiring a tool, suitable for a grown-up, or manageable by a small child, using fewer mould cavities and enabling various interconnection options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the holding force is increased to enable stronger constructions, then the force required for assembly exceeds the capability of children, but this limits the usability of the toy building set
Solution Approach 1:
The building element is segmented into two types: a first building element with a rotation shaft and a second building element with a rotation bushing. The snap connection is specifically designed between these two elements to require high assembly force, while other connections use standard mechanisms with lower force requirements. This segmentation allows different connection strengths within the same building set.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap connection mechanism is applied locally only to the interface between the first and second building elements, rather than uniformly across all connections. This localized application of strong coupling means enables high holding force where needed (in the turntable connection) while maintaining child-friendly assembly for other parts of the structure.
2Strength
If pre-assembled turntables are used to ensure strong connections, then the holding force is sufficient, but the turntable cannot be dismounted without destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The snap connection is designed as a dynamic, reversible mechanism rather than a permanent bond. The connection maintains high holding force during normal use but can be deliberately activated to dismount. The snap-in mechanism engages strongly under normal conditions but can be released by applying force in the opposite direction, enabling both strong connection and controlled disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap connection mechanism is designed with preliminary anti-action features that prevent accidental disassembly while allowing intentional dismounting. The snap-in geometry and force requirements are configured so that normal usage forces cannot disengage the connection, but a deliberate action (such as pushing or pulling with sufficient force) can activate the release mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of building elements with different coupling forces are created, then various assembly scenarios are covered, but the number of mould cavities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second building elements are designed as universal components that serve multiple functions. The rotation shaft and rotation bushing with snap connection can be used specifically for creating strong turntable connections, while the same elements can also serve as regular building blocks for other structures using standard connection mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components for each assembly scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A toy building element comprising toy building elements for building a turntable, said toy building elements comprising a first type (1) which is provided with a rotation shaft and at least one second and one third type of toy building elements (5, 6), each of which can be interconnected with the first type for forming a turntable; and wherein the toy building elements are configured such that, when the first and the second type of toy building element are interconnected, a higher coupling force is accomplished than the one which is accomplished when the first and the third type of toy building element are interconnected.