Yo-yo Toy with Interchangeable Hexagonal Covering Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional yo-yos lack a sporty and attractive appearance, particularly for ball sports, and do not offer versatility in design for other areas of interest.

Innovation Solution

A yo-yo design featuring two rotary bodies connected by a shaft, with interchangeable hexagonal covering elements that form a spherical shape, allowing for a sporty appearance resembling football or handball, and enabling customization with different colors, textures, and lettering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional yo-yo design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the appearance lacks sporty and attractive qualities for ball sports

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The yo-yo body is divided into multiple modular components: base portions, frame parts, and separate covering elements. These segments can be assembled and disassembled, allowing complex sporty appearances to be achieved through simple modular construction rather than manufacturing complex monolithic shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The yo-yo combines different materials and surface treatments on the covering elements (different colors, textures, lettering) to create a composite appearance that resembles ball sports equipment, achieving a sporty aesthetic through material diversity rather than complex shaping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but versatility for different areas of interest is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign versatilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The covering elements are designed to be interchangeable and reconfigurable, transforming the static yo-yo into a dynamic system that can adapt its appearance. Users can swap covering elements to match different sports or interests, achieving versatility through configurability rather than producing multiple fixed designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The modular covering elements serve multiple functions: they provide aesthetic customization for different sports, protect the underlying structure, and can be easily replaced. This universal design allows a single yo-yo platform to serve multiple interests and purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If covering elements are made interchangeable, then customization is enabled, but connection reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecustomizationVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into standardized interfaces between base portions, frame parts, and covering elements. These standardized connection points enable easy interchangeability while maintaining consistent, reliable connections through repeated use of the same interface design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covering elements are designed as easily replaceable components that can be swapped out like disposable or temporary attachments. This allows users to experiment with different designs without permanent commitment, achieving high customization while keeping the connection system simple and reliable through standardized, replaceable interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 yo-yo achieves a sporty and attractive appearance suitable for ball sports, with interchangeable elements allowing users to customize and adapt the design for various interests, enhancing its appeal and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

The base portion 4 has a relatively large, uniformly distributed mass 4a for the purpose of creating the gyroscopic moment necessary for a proper operation of the yo-yo

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscopic moment: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentEP3302744B1Yo-yo toy
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 BIOPROMOTIONS
  • EP3302744B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Device (1), provided and arranged as a yo-yo toy, comprising two rotary bodies (2) connected to each other by means of a connecting shaft (3), wherein each of the rotary bodies comprises a base portion (4) and a therewith connectable or connected frame part (5), which is configured, optionally partly in cooperation with the base portion, for attaching a number of hexagonal covering elements (6). The covering elements and the half-hexagonal segments (8) of the base portions are arranged and/or coloured in such a way that the device strongly resembles a football or basketball. The covering elements are snap-action connectable with the frame parts and the base portions respectively, and are interchangeable with covering elements of, for example, a different colour, texture and/or lettering.