Toy Container with Adjustable Delay Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind-up movable toy-container combinations require the user to wind the spring and then wait for a predetermined time for the container to open, limiting usability and being difficult to arrange, especially for children with limited manual skills, and affecting the toy's external shape.
Innovation Solution
A container that allows the user to control the opening by actuating a button, introducing a delay between button activation and container opening, allowing the toy to be inserted without winding the spring inside and enabling adjustable delay times through a mechanism involving gears and cam systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the container opens automatically after a predetermined time from spring winding, then the toy can emerge without user intervention, but the opening time cannot be adjusted and limits usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a delay mechanism with adjustable delay time, allowing the container opening time to be dynamically changed based on user preference. The delay mechanism includes a delay means with an adjustable delay time, enabling the container to remain closed for a customizable period after the spring is wound, thus resolving the contradiction between automation and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If the wind-up means and socket are visible on the toy, then the container can be opened by user action, but the external shape of the toy is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wind-up means from the toy itself and places it on the container. The container includes a wind-up means operably connected to the spring mechanism, and the actuation means is disposed on the outer surface of the container rather than the toy. This allows the toy to maintain its complete external shape while still enabling user operation through the container's actuation means.
3Ease of manufacture
If the user must hold the winder end during container assembly, then the toy can be wound up, but the operation becomes difficult for children with limited manual skills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wind-up function with the container structure. The wind-up means is integrated into the container rather than being a separate component on the toy. The actuation means on the container allows users to wind up the spring mechanism without needing to hold multiple components simultaneously, making the assembly and operation much easier for children with limited manual skills.
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
Enhances usability by allowing the user to control when the toy emerges from the container, improving ease of use and maintaining the toy's shape, as the container only opens when the user chooses, with adjustable delay times.
Implementation Method 1
a movable toy operably contained in the hollow container in its undivided state, the movable toy having spring winding means
Implementation Method 2
enabling adjustable delay times through a mechanism involving gears and cam systems
Implementation Method 3
enabling adjustable delay times through a mechanism involving gears and cam systems
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention concerns a container (3) for an anthropomorphic movable toy (2), wherein the movable toy (2) is operated by a spring and has a walking feature, and the container (3) can be split into two portions (3A, 3B) when the movable toy (2) is contained therein, once a predetermined time (T) has elapsed, wherein the predetermined time (T) is not calculated from the time of release of the container (3) but from the moment in which the user operates suitable actuation means (8) capable of directly operating on the movable toy (2) from outside said container (3).