Toy Hinge Joint Overload Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toy assemblies with articulated connections often break due to overloading in the counter-pivoting direction, as the joints are subjected to forces beyond their breaking point, leading to undesirable breakage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an overload safety device that releases the articulated connection when excessive force is applied, allowing components to pivot beyond the locked position and providing a noticeable signal to the user, while ensuring safe guidance and controlled release, using designs such as ball and socket joints or bolt/claw connections with elastic socket halves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the articulated connection is designed to be strong and locked, then the structural stability is improved, but the risk of breakage under overload in counter-pivoting direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an overload safety device that acts as a predetermined weak point in the articulated connection. This device is designed to fail at a specific load threshold before the main structural components fail, thereby cushioning the system against catastrophic breakage. The safety device includes elements such as a releasable lock mechanism or dimensionally unstable connection that will fail safely when subjected to excessive forces in the counter-pivoting direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The overload safety device serves as an intermediary element between the locked articulated connection and the external overload forces. This intermediary component absorbs the excessive energy and force through its controlled failure mode, protecting the main structural components from breakage while allowing the connection to remain stable during normal operation.
2Strength
If the articulated connection is locked securely, then the structural strength is improved, but the ability to release under overload decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated connection incorporates dynamic characteristics through the overload safety device, which transitions from a locked state to a released state based on applied loads. The connection is statically stable during normal use but becomes dynamically responsive when overload conditions are detected, allowing automatic release to prevent damage. This dynamic behavior enables the joint to adapt its stiffness and locking characteristics based on operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The overload safety device utilizes parameter changes in its design, such as dimensional instability or material property variations, to create a predetermined failure point. The device is designed with specific geometric parameters or material characteristics that cause it to fail at a defined load threshold, providing a controlled release mechanism that maintains joint strength during normal operation while enabling release under overload.
3Manufacturing precision
If the articulated connection uses rigid components, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the sensitivity to overload detection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The overload safety device applies local quality by creating a specific region with altered mechanical properties within the articulated connection. This localized element has different dimensional stability, material characteristics, or geometric features compared to the rest of the rigid connection, making it the preferential failure point. The local quality change enables overload detection and response while maintaining high manufacturing precision in the overall assembly.
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
Prevents breakage by allowing controlled release of the articulated connection under overload, providing a learning effect for users and ensuring the toy assembly remains functional by releasing stress before component failure.
Implementation Method 1
one of the two socket halves or both can be designed to be elastic for this purpose. The socket halves can be formed in one piece on a component to be connected by the articulated connection.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
The unit (1) has multiple folding components e.g. central mounting body (3), and wing elements (7, 8) connected with each other by hinge joints (9, 10). The folding components are movable between an unfolded use position and a folded transport play position. The hinge joint is folded in to a fold-pivoting position from the unfolded use position, and locked in a counter-pivoting direction. An overload protection device causes a controlled release of the folding components connected with each other during overloading of locked hinge joint.