Toy Vehicle Track Set With Overlaid Figure-8 Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing play sets for toy vehicles lack the ability to simultaneously propel and allow multiple interactions between multiple toy vehicles on diverse track segments, such as closed and figure-8 tracks, which limits entertainment and excitement.
Innovation Solution
A track set with overlaid figure-8 and closed track circuits, each equipped with a motorized booster, enabling multiple intersections and collisions between toy vehicles, and a mechanism to propel vehicles along these tracks using pivoting trap doors and levers for efficient vehicle transfer between track segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple track circuits are overlaid to enable vehicle interactions and collisions, then entertainment value and excitement are enhanced, but track complexity and device structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple track circuits (first and second track circuits) into a single integrated structure where they are overlaid on each other. This merging approach allows vehicles to interact and collide between different track levels while maintaining a unified device structure, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vertical overlay of track circuits to create multiple intersections and interaction zones. By adding the vertical dimension with overlaid first and second track circuits, vehicles can interact without requiring horizontal expansion, thus enhancing versatility while controlling structural complexity.
2Speed
If motorized boosters are added to propel vehicles at high speed, then entertainment value increases, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized boosters are positioned at specific locations along the track circuits to provide periodic propulsion rather than continuous power. This allows vehicles to be accelerated to high speeds at intervals, maintaining entertainment value while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous propulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The boosters provide self-service propulsion by automatically activating when vehicles pass through their zones, eliminating the need for manual intervention or continuous energy input. This periodic self-activation maintains high speeds where needed while minimizing energy consumption during non-propulsion phases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple intersections are created in overlaid track circuits, then vehicle collision opportunities increase, but track design complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The track circuits are divided into distinct segments (first track circuit and second track circuit) that can be manufactured and assembled separately. Each segment contains specific intersection zones, allowing for modular manufacturing that reduces overall complexity while maintaining multiple collision opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
Intersections are created by overlaying track circuits vertically rather than creating complex horizontal junctions. This vertical stacking simplifies manufacturing by allowing tracks to be produced as separate layers and then assembled, reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining multiple intersection points for vehicle collisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A track set for toy vehicles is provided, the track set having: a first track circuit having a loop section and a figure-8 track circuit; a second track circuit having a loop section and figure-8 track circuit, wherein the figure-8 track circuits are overlaid on each other to provide multiple intersections between each figure-8 track circuit, wherein the toy vehicles travelling on the figure-8 track circuits can crash into each other as they travel along the figure-8 track circuits; and a mechanism for propelling the vehicles along the first track circuit and the second track circuit.