Toy Track Carriage Assembly Spanning Vertical Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Toy track sets lack versatility in creating unique paths for toy vehicles and flexibility in attachment to various objects, limiting creativity and utility in play arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A toy track set with a carriage assembly that rotates 360 degrees or more to traverse gaps between different vertical planes, combined with a guide piece featuring multiple fasteners for secure attachment to various objects, allowing for adaptable and creative track configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional track set with fixed sections is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the versatility in creating unique paths and attachment options is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility in creating unique pathsVSAvoidtrack set structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The track set is divided into modular sections including straight tracks, curved tracks, and gap-spanning carriages that can be independently assembled and configured to create various paths and layouts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carriages are designed to dynamically span gaps between track sections, allowing the track configuration to be changed by moving carriages to different positions rather than requiring fixed rigid connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional track set with limited attachment options is used, then the device complexity is low, but the flexibility in attaching to various objects is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in attachment to various objectsVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The track set incorporates multiple types of attachment mechanisms including suction cups for smooth surfaces, adhesive strips for various surfaces, and clamp attachments for edges, allowing the same track system to be universally attached to diverse objects and surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If gaps between different vertical planes are introduced to enable unique paths, then the adaptability increases, but the complexity of the carriage assembly to traverse these gaps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to traverse gaps between vertical planesVSAvoidcarriage assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage assembly incorporates nested components where the carriage body contains movable platforms that can extend and retract, allowing the carriage to adapt to different gap sizes and vertical plane configurations within a single integrated structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage acts as an intermediary mechanism between separated track sections on different vertical planes, providing a transitional platform that bridges the gap and allows continuous vehicle movement across discontinuous track segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9314705B2Toy track set

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 MATTEL INC

AI summary

A toy track set includes a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a first gap end and a second gap end. The toy track also includes a carriage assembly configured to carry a toy vehicle across the gap such that the toy vehicle travels from the first gap end to the second gap end on the carriage assembly, the carriage assembly being moved from the first gap end to the second gap end by an assembly having an arm rotatable about an axis of rotation and that rotates through an angle equal to or greater than 360 degrees as it carries the toy vehicle from the first gap end to the second gap end.