Toy Vehicle Center-of-Gravity Layout for Self-Righting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Toy vehicles often end up in an inverted orientation during play, requiring manual intervention to right them, which is inconvenient and detracts from play value, especially when operated by remote control, and existing designs that can be driven upside down lack realism.

Innovation Solution

A toy vehicle design with a selected center of gravity and flip-over wheels that utilize motors to apply torque, causing a reaction torque to rotate the vehicle from an inverted to an upright orientation, enhancing realism without increasing complexity or cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If toy vehicles are designed with large wheels and vehicle bodies to be driven upside down, then the vehicles can be operated in inverted orientation, but the vehicles do not resemble real-world vehicles, reducing play value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to be driven upside downVSAvoidrealism of vehicle design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the center of gravity toward the front end of the vehicle body, which is the opposite of conventional toy vehicle designs. This inverted center of gravity positioning enables the vehicle to self-right from an inverted orientation while maintaining a realistic vehicle body design that resembles real-world vehicles, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability to inverted operation and ease of manufacture for realistic appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If toy vehicles are designed to self-right from inverted orientation, then manual intervention is reduced, but the cost or complexity of the toy vehicle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic self-righting capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of vehicle system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves self-righting capability by changing a single critical parameter - the position of the center of gravity - rather than introducing complex mechanical systems. By positioning the center of gravity toward the front end of the vehicle body, the vehicle naturally self-rights when inverted due to gravitational torque, eliminating the need for additional motors, sensors, or control systems while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the toy vehicle to self-right from an inverted position, maintaining play value and realism while reducing the need for manual intervention, with a lightweight and efficient motor system.

Implementation Method 1

application of the selected amount of torque from the at least one motor to the at least one driven wheel causes a reaction torque in the vehicle body to drive rotation of the vehicle body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 2

application of the selected amount of torque from the at least one motor to the at least one driven wheel causes a reaction torque in the vehicle body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReaction torque: Reaction (physics)

Implementation Method 3

drive rotation of the vehicle body about the axis of rotation from the inverted orientation over to the upright orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentUS12502616B2Toy vehicle with selected centre of gravity

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 SPIN MASTER LTD

AI summary

In one aspect, there is provided a toy vehicle that includes a vehicle body, at least one motor and a plurality of wheels. The at least one motor is mounted to the vehicle body, and is sized to have a selected amount of torque. The plurality of wheels includes at least one driven wheel which includes at least one flip-over wheel which has an axis closer to one end of the vehicle than the other end. In an upright orientation the vehicle body extends above the plurality of wheels. The toy vehicle has a centre of gravity that is positioned, such that, application of torque from the at least one motor causes the vehicle body to drive rotation of the vehicle body about the axis of rotation from an inverted orientation over to the upright orientation.