Wind-Up Soccer Player Toy
Wind-Up Soccer Player Toy
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de76c4b73925451dbbdb5cef83d72b09.movThe Toy in Action
High-Level Overview
High-Level Overview
The Wind-Up Soccer Toy project was part of the ME100 design project, where the objective was to navigate the entire engineering design process of creating a children's toy. Drawing inspiration from the history of wind-up toys, the project aimed to develop a portable, engaging alternative to traditional foosball. Designed for children aged 6 to 12, the toy integrates a cam-and-follower wind-up mechanism that powers soccer player figures to kick a ball across a small field, simulating real-life soccer motions.
The design process involved creating two prototypes, with ideas of implementing a detailed gearbox assembly with components like a recoil spring, cam-follower system, and turning key, all housed within a compact structure to ensure consistent and accurate ball-kicking.
The project emphasized safety, usability, and mechanical precision, with constraints such as a $50 budget per prototype and the goal of minimizing energy losses while maximizing durability. The cam-follower system is what we decided was the most material-efficeint due to not needing to implement a gearbox.
Throughout the iterative prototyping phases, challenges related to gear alignment and friction losses were addressed, leading to significant improvements in the toy's functionality. The project concluded with recommendations to further refine the wind-up system and explore alternative materials to enhance performance and longevity. The Wind-Up Soccer Toy, with its innovative design and market potential, stands as a novel contribution to the realm of children's toys, showcasing the comprehensive engineering design process undertaken in the ME100 course.
Protoypes
Protoypes
Drawing of the First Prototype Implementing a Gearbox to facilitate the Kicking Mechanism
Exploded View of the Assembly of the Second Prototype
Final Design
Final Design
The final design of the wind-up soccer player toy is a simple and engaging prototype that combines basic mechanical and electrical components, making it a fun and educational toy for children. Working on this project provided me with valuable hands-on experience in both mechanical design and basic electronics.
The toy features a cam-follower kicking mechanism housed in a laser-cut wooden enclosure, with a laser-cut acrylic "leg" and cam piece. The follower is a wooden dowel, and due to material constraints, we extended its horizontal range by attaching a thumbtack to the end. The cam's rotation is powered by a TT motor, connected via a breadboard and an AAA battery, enabling the toy to execute a kick.
This project went beyond just creating a toy—it was about understanding how simple circuits can drive mechanical systems. The process of soldering wires, connecting components to a breadboard, and seeing the toy come to life was incredibly rewarding. The toy is portable, easy to use, and offers an educational experience for children aged 6 to 12. Overall, it was a fulfilling project that combined design, engineering, and hands-on creativity.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Moving forward, the wind-up soccer player toy could benefit from some additional tweaks and testing to make it more reliable and appealing. Future versions should focus on better syncing the motor-driven kicking mechanism with the toy's forward movement, so it performs more consistently during play. We might also look into using different materials, like lightweight but strong plastics, to make the toy more durable and possibly cheaper to produce. Testing with these new materials would give us a better idea of how long the toy can last and how well it holds up with repeated use.
Another key area to work on is fixing some of the issues we noticed in the prototype, like the alignment of gears and reducing energy loss from friction. Using more precise manufacturing techniques, like 3D printing for the more complex parts, could help solve these problems, leading to a more dependable and smooth-running toy. We could also think about adding features that let users customize the toy, like adjustable difficulty levels or interchangeable parts, which could make the toy more interesting to a broader range of kids.
By making these improvements and learning from our testing, the wind-up soccer player toy could really take off as a fun and lasting product. It combines the classic charm of wind-up toys with the excitement of soccer, all in a portable and easy-to-use package that could appeal to children.
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