Variable Inertia Flywheel Motor for Toy Vehicle Stunts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toy vehicles equipped with flywheel motors cannot effectively utilize angular momentum to provide both propulsion and a skidding action, limiting their functionality in toys and stunt performances.

Innovation Solution

A toy vehicle with a variable inertia flywheel motor that transfers angular momentum from the flywheel to the vehicle upon slowing, causing it to spin and skid in the direction of the flywheel's rotation, using a bent wire member and weight arms to engage and disengage the flywheel, allowing for both propulsion and stunt capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flywheel motor is used in a toy vehicle, then propulsion is achieved, but the angular momentum cannot be utilized for stunts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestunt capabilityVSAvoidmechanical means complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flywheel motor is designed to serve multiple functions: primary propulsion during acceleration and secondary stunt execution during coasting. The same flywheel and mechanical means transfer angular momentum for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions between two operational modes based on the flywheel's rotational state. During high-speed rotation, the flywheel provides propulsion torque to the drive wheels. During deceleration, the mechanical means engage to transfer the flywheel's remaining angular momentum to the vehicle body for stunt rotation, allowing adaptive functionality without additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flywheel is engaged continuously, then propulsion is maintained, but the skidding action cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskidding actionVSAvoidpropulsion duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical means are designed to periodically engage and disengage from the flywheel based on operational requirements. During propulsion phase, the connection is maintained to transfer torque continuously. During the skidding phase, the connection is intentionally broken to allow the flywheel to spin freely while transferring angular momentum to the vehicle body, creating the desired stunt effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical means selectively extract or disconnect the flywheel from the propulsion transmission path during the skidding phase. This extraction allows the flywheel's angular momentum to be freely transferred to the vehicle body without being constrained by the drive train, enabling the skidding stunt while maintaining propulsion capability during the engagement phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flywheel slows down after propulsion, then energy is conserved, but angular momentum cannot be transferred for stunts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular momentum transferVSAvoidenergy loss during deceleration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flywheel's natural deceleration, which would normally represent energy loss, is converted into a beneficial condition for stunt execution. The mechanical means are designed to engage precisely when the flywheel is slowing down, capturing and transferring the remaining angular momentum to the vehicle body. This transforms what would be wasted energy into useful stunt capability, maximizing the utilization of the flywheel's rotational energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 maintain motion and perform stunts by transferring remaining angular momentum from the flywheel to the vehicle, enhancing its operational range and versatility beyond traditional flywheel motor functions.

Implementation Method 1

transferring solely within the vehicle, angular momentum from the flywheel to the vehicle, when the flywheel has slowed sufficiently after propelling the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular momentum: Angular Momentum

Implementation Method 2

variable inertia flywheel motor that transfers angular momentum from the flywheel to the vehicle upon slowing, causing it to spin and skid in the direction of the flywheel's rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscopic effect: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentUS8926396B2Flywheel motor and gyroscopic clutch

Publication Date: 2015.01.06 MATTEL INC

AI summary

An inertia motor for a toy has a housing supporting a rotating flywheel. The flywheel has a disk with generally radially movable elements, movement of which vary the moment of inertia of the disk. Another element is supported by the housing so as to be movable towards and away from the disk and is located so as to be able to engage at least one of the movable elements when the flywheel has slowed sufficiently. Angular momentum and energy in the flywheel at engagement is transferred to the housing. The housing may also include a transmission such as a gear train to connect the flywheel with one of more elements of the toy to be powered by the flywheel.