Overload-Safe Linear Actuator for Toy Building Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear actuators in toy building sets require length adjustment before mounting and are prone to damage due to excessive force, leading to potential destruction of the actuator or the toy building set.
Innovation Solution
A slot is configured on one spindle part, splitting the thread into elastic parts that can shift radially, allowing the actuator to be easily extended or contracted without screwing, and an actuator housing with guides that allow only one spindle part to rotate and the other to shift, providing protection and easy mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear actuator is used in toy building sets with a standard thread mechanism, then the actuator provides self-locking capability and conversion of rotation to translation movement, but the actuator is prone to damage from excessive force and requires length adjustment before mounting in different mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The thread on the second spindle part is divided into multiple separate thread portions by slots that extend radially inward from the outer surface. These slot-defined spaces allow the thread portions to move independently relative to each other, enabling the actuator to be pulled out or contracted without screwing the spindle parts together, thus eliminating the need for length adjustment while maintaining durability through controlled elasticity
Solution Approach 2:
The thread configuration is changed from a continuous rigid structure to a segmented elastic structure with slots. This parameter change allows the thread portions to deform elastically under excessive force, preventing actuator destruction, and enables easy mounting by allowing the threads to shift radially outward or inward relative to each other
2Length of moving object
If the thread on the spindle parts is made longer to increase stroke length, then the actuator can accommodate different mechanism requirements, but the actuator becomes more susceptible to damage from excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The long thread is segmented into multiple portions by slots, allowing each portion to be elastic and movable. This segmentation maintains the long stroke length capability while preventing catastrophic failure under excessive force, as the slot-defined spaces allow the thread portions to shift and absorb stress
Solution Approach 2:
The thread structure combines rigid and elastic properties through the slot-defined spaces. The thread portions act as elastic elements that can deform under load, creating a composite structural behavior that provides both long stroke length and resistance to damage from excessive force
3Volume of moving object
If the linear actuator is designed with a compact structure, then the toy building set occupies less space, but the actuator cannot withstand various forces without needing separate covering elements for protection
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator design changes from a rigid compact structure to one with elastic thread portions and slot-defined spaces. This allows the actuator to withstand various forces internally through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for separate covering elements while maintaining a compact structure
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harmful effect of excessive force on the actuator is converted into a beneficial elastic deformation of the thread portions. The slot-defined spaces allow the threads to shift radially, absorbing the harmful force and preventing actuator destruction, thus protecting the compact structure without additional covering elements
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 enables easy mounting of the linear actuator in toy mechanisms while minimizing the risk of damage, allowing the actuator to withstand various forces and constructions without needing separate covering elements, thus enhancing the structural integrity and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The slot splits up the thread in two parts which are comparatively elastic relative to each other. Thereby the two threads can easily be shifted essentially radially outwards or inwards relative to each other
Implementation Method 2
the thread in the linear actuator converts the rotation of the one spindle part into a translation movement of the other spindle part whereby the mechanism moves when the one spindle part is rotated
Implementation Method 3
That type of actuators being generally self-locking the mechanism will often lock in its position unless the one spindle part is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
A toy building set comprising a number of toy building elements and an overload-safe linear actuator having a center axis and with two spindle parts comprising a first spindle part with an internal thread arranged concentrically to the center axis, and a second spindle part with an external thread screwed into the internal thread on the first spindle part, and wherein the thread on the one spindle is at least twice as long as the thread on the second spindle part. One of the spindle parts being provided with a slot extending through the spindle part longitudinally of the thread configured on the spindle part and essentially along the entire thread, it is accomplished that it is easy to adjust the length of the actuator by pulling or pressing the two spindle parts together or away from each other.