BALL PUSHING MECHANISM AND BALL PUSHING TOY

Abstract

A ball pushing mechanism and a ball pushing toy include a housing, a pushing member and an electric drive assembly. The housing has a cavity and a communication port communicating with the cavity, the pushing member is slidably disposed in the cavity, an elastic member is provided between the pushing member and an interior of the housing, and the pushing member is capable of extending out of the communication port or retracting from the communication port into the cavity. The electric drive assembly is disposed in the cavity, the electric drive assembly and the pushing member are in transmission fit, and the electric drive assembly can drive the pushing member to slide.

Claims

1. A ball pushing mechanism, comprising: a housing having a cavity and a communication port communicating with the cavity; a pushing member slidably provided in the cavity, an elastic member being provided between the pushing member and an interior of the housing, and the pushing member being capable of extending out of the communication port or retracting from the communication port into the cavity; and an electric drive assembly provided in the cavity, the electric drive assembly and the pushing member being in transmission fit, and the electric drive assembly being capable of driving the pushing member to slide; wherein the ball pushing mechanism has a standby state, a pushing state and a return state; in the standby state, the pushing member retracts into the cavity, the electric drive assembly locks a position of the pushing member, and the elastic member is in a compressed state; in the pushing state, the electric drive assembly releases the pushing member, and the elastic member elastically releases and pushes the pushing member to extend out of the communication port; and in the return state, the drive assembly drives the pushing member to retract into the communication port.

2. The ball pushing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive assembly comprises a motor and a gear train; both the motor and the gear train are disposed in the housing; the motor and an input end gear of the gear train are in transmission connection, a tooth meshing portion is provided on an output end gear of the gear train, and a rack portion is provided on the pushing member; in the standby state, the tooth meshing portion and the rack portion are meshed, and the motor is in a stationary state; in the return state, the motor drives the output end gear to rotate, and the output end gear drives the pushing member to slide to retract from the communication port into the cavity; and in the pushing state, the motor drives the output end gear to rotate until the tooth meshing portion disengages from the rack portion of the pushing member, and the ball pushing mechanism is switched to the pushing state.

3. The ball pushing mechanism according to claim 2, wherein an arc-shaped plates is provided on the output end gear, and the tooth meshing portion and the arc-shaped plate are sequentially disposed along a peripheral side edge of the output end gear; the arc-shaped plate is provided with an outward convex arc surface on one side facing the pushing member; and in the pushing state, the outward convex arc surface contacts the rack portion.

4. The ball pushing mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the tooth meshing portion comprises a plurality of convex shafts, and the convex shafts are sequentially disposed at intervals along a circumference of an edge of the output end gear.

5. The ball pushing mechanism according to claim 4, further comprising a trigger member movably provided in the cavity and partially extending out of the communication port; wherein in the standby state, under the action of an external force, the trigger member moves to trigger the motor to be energized, and the motor drives the output end gear to rotate until the tooth meshing portion disengages from the rack portion, so that the ball pushing mechanism is switched to the pushing state.

6. The ball pushing mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising a switch electrically connected to the motor; wherein the trigger member is hinged to the housing by a rotating shaft, and a trigger column is provided on the trigger member; and in the standby state, under the action of an external force, the trigger member rotates to contact and press the switch via the trigger column.

7. The ball pushing mechanism according to claim 6, wherein a first circular arc groove and a second circular arc groove are provided on the output end gear, the second circular arc groove is communicated with the first circular arc groove, and the first circular arc groove and the second circular arc groove form a closed ring; a width of the second circular arc groove is greater than a width of the first circular arc groove; the trigger member has a mating shaft, and a torsion spring is provided between the trigger member and the housing; in the standby state, the mating shaft is located in the second circular arc groove, under the action of the torsion spring, a gap exists between the trigger column and the switch, and under the action of an external force, the pushing member rotates, so that the mating shaft moves toward a center of a drive gear, and the trigger column and the switch are in contact; and in the return state, the mating shaft is located in the first circular arc groove, and the trigger column and the switch are kept in contact.

8. The ball pushing mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the pushing member comprises an end body, a middle strip and side strips provided on both sides of the middle strip, the middle strip and the side strips are both connected to the end body, and the end body can extend out of the communication port or retract from the communication port into the cavity; the elastic member comprises a spring, and one end of the spring is sleeved on the middle strip; a limiting claw is provided on the two side strips respectively, and the limiting claws on the two side strips extend in opposite directions; and a blocking portion is provided in the interior of the housing, and when the pushing member extends out of the communication port to a limit position in the pushing state, the limiting claws abut against the blocking portion.

9. The ball pushing mechanism according to claim 8, wherein an inner wall of the housing is provided with guide ribs; and the guide ribs extend into gaps between the middle strip and the side strips.

10. A ball pushing toy, comprising: a shaped housing having an inner cavity, a surface of the shaped housing forming a concave cavity, and an inner wall of the concave cavity being provided with an avoidance port; and the ball pushing mechanism according to claim 1, the ball pushing mechanism being provided in the inner cavity, and a communication port of the ball pushing mechanism being communicated with the avoidance port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present application, are included to provide a further understanding of the present application. Illustrative embodiments of the present application and the description thereof are included to illustrate the present application, but are not to be construed as unduly limiting the present application. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description are merely some rather than all embodiments of the present application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a ball pushing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a ball pushing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application with a part of a housing removed;

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a ball pushing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application with a part of a housing and a pushing member removed;

[0050] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged schematic structural diagram of an input end gear of a ball pushing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an output end gear of a ball pushing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a pushing member of a ball pushing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an upper housing of a ball pushing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application; and

[0054] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a ball pushing toy provided in Embodiment 2 of the present application.

[0055] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present application in any way, but are intended to illustrate the concept of the present application for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0056] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0057] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms upper, lower, inner, outer and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of description and simplification of description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or component to be referred must have a specific orientation, be constructed and be operated in a specific orientation, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0058] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless expressly and specifically defined otherwise, the terms mounted and connected are to be interpreted broadly, and may, for example, be fixedly or detachably or integrally connected; may be mechanically connected or electrically connected; or may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediary. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the specific context.

Embodiment 1

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of the present application provides a ball pushing mechanism which includes a housing 1, a pushing member 2 and an electric drive assembly. The housing 1 has a cavity 11 and a communication port 12 communicating with the cavity 11, the pushing member 2 is slidably disposed in the cavity 11, an elastic member 4 is provided between the pushing member 2 and an interior of the housing 1, and the pushing member 2 is capable of extending out of the communication port 12 or retracting from the communication port 12 into the cavity 11. The electric drive assembly is disposed in the cavity 11, the electric drive assembly and the pushing member 2 are in transmission fit, and the electric drive assembly can drive the pushing member to slide. The ball pushing mechanism has a standby state, a pushing state and a return state. In the standby state, the pushing member 2 retracts into the cavity 11, the electric drive assembly locks a position of the pushing member 2, and the elastic member 4 is in a compressed state. In the pushing state, the electric drive assembly releases the pushing member 2, and the elastic member 4 elastically releases and pushes the pushing member 2 to extend out of the communication port 12. In the return state, the drive assembly drives the pushing member 2 to retract into the communication port 12. The ball pushing mechanism provided in the present application is provided with the electric drive assembly, and when the pushing member 2 is released and ejected, the electric drive assembly can drive the pushing member 2 to automatically realize the reset of the pushing member 2, preparing for the next pushing of a toy ball. The ball pushing mechanism of the present application can achieve fully automatic operation of several operating states of the pushing member 2 internally without manual operation by a player, greatly improving the effect of interaction between the player and the ball pushing mechanism, and thus greatly enhancing the fun during playing, enabling the player to maintain interest in the mechanism for a longer period of time.

[0060] When the ball pushing mechanism provided in the present application is in operation, the ball pushing mechanism is triggered by a toy ball or the like, the drive assembly operates to result in the pushing state, in which the electric drive assembly releases the push member 2, and under the action of the elastic member 4, the push member 2 is ejected from the communication port 12 to realize a ball pushing action. The drive assembly continues to operate to result in the return state, in which the drive assembly drives the pushing member 2 to retract into the communication port 12, and the elastic member 4 is gradually compressed. Then the drive assembly stops operation to result in the standby state, in which the drive assembly locks a position of the pushing member 2, and the elastic member 4 is in the compressed state, preparing for the next trigger.

[0061] In some possible embodiments, the electric drive assembly includes a motor 31 and a gear train, and both the motor 31 and the gear train are disposed in the housing 1. The motor 31 and an input end gear 33 of the gear train are in transmission connection, a tooth meshing portion 321 is provided on an output end gear 32 of the gear train, and a rack portion 25 is provided on the pushing member 2. In the standby state, the tooth meshing portion 321 and the rack portion 25 are meshed, and the motor 31 is in a stationary state; in the return state, the motor 31 drives the output end gear 32 to rotate, and the output end gear 32 drives the pushing member 2 to slide to retract from the communication port 12 into the cavity 11; and in the pushing state, the motor 31 drives the output end gear 32 to rotate until the tooth meshing portion 321 disengages from the rack portion 25 of the pushing member 2, and the ball pushing mechanism is switched to the pushing state. Under the action of the elastic member 4, an end portion of the pushing member 2 is ejected from the communication port 12. The gear train may be a reduction gear train that reduces an output rotational speed of the motor 31 to a suitable value. The rack extends along a length direction of the pushing member 2, and the output end gear 32 cooperates with the rack portion 25 on the pushing member 2 to convert the rotation of the motor 31 into linear motion along the length direction of the pushing member 2, thus realizing a reset action of the pushing member 2. The motor 31 is a self-locking motor 31, and when the motor 31 stops rotation, a rotating shaft 13 of the motor 31 is self-locked, and the rotating shaft 13 does not rotate in any direction, which can ensure a stable locking state.

[0062] In some possible embodiments, an arc-shaped plate 322 is provided on the output end gear 32, and the tooth meshing portion 321 and the arc-shaped plate 322 are sequentially disposed along a peripheral side edge of the output end gear 32. The arc-shaped plate 322 is provided with an outward convex arc surface on one side facing the pushing member 2, and the outward convex arc surface contacts the rack portion 25 in the pushing state. When the tooth meshing portion 321 is in contact with the rack portion 25, the tooth meshing portion 321 meshes with the rack, and an output gear is driven by the rack to control motion of the pushing member 2. When the output gear rotates until the outward convex arc surface contacts the rack portion 25, the outward convex arc surface does not mesh with the rack portion 25 to release the meshing, the pushing member 2 will slide along the outward convex arc surface under the elastic force of the elastic member 4, and then is ejected from the communication port 12 to realize a pushing action.

[0063] In some possible embodiments, the tooth meshing portion 321 includes a plurality of convex shafts 3211, and the convex shafts 3211 are sequentially disposed at intervals along a circumference of an edge of the output end gear 32. The convex shafts 3211 mesh with tooth spaces of the rack, and the effect of moving the rack to drive the pushing member 2 to move can be realized by the convex shaft 3211. The convex shafts 3211 are disposed to cooperate with the rack, and the convex shafts 3211 have high strength and durability, and are less likely to be deformed and damaged. Preferably, a toothed disc, the convex shafts 3211 and the arc-shaped plate 322 of the output end gear 32 are integrally formed parts, so they are easy to produce, not easily damaged, and have a long service life.

[0064] In some possible embodiments, the ball pushing mechanism includes a trigger member 5 movably provided in the cavity 11 and partially extending out of the communication port 12. In the standby state, under the action of an external force, the trigger member 5 moves to trigger the motor 31 to be energized, and the motor 31 drives the output end gear 32 to rotate until the tooth meshing portion 321 disengages from the rack portion 25, so that the ball pushing mechanism is switched to the pushing state. The external impact and pushing are transmitted to the cavity 11 by the trigger member 5 to turn on the motor 31, and a trigger point and the like of the motor 31 are provided in the housing 1, which can make an exterior of the housing 1 simple and beautiful. The housing 1 can also protect the internal structure, prevent collision damage and prolong the service life.

[0065] In some possible embodiments, the ball pushing mechanism includes a switch 6, the switch 6 is electrically connected to the motor 31, the trigger member 5 is hinged to the housing 1 by a rotating shaft 13, and a trigger column 51 is provided on the trigger member 5. In the standby state, under the action of an external force, the trigger member 5 rotates to contact and press the switch 6 via the trigger column 51. In the standby state, the trigger column 51 leaves the switch 6, the switch 6 is turned off, and the motor 31 does not rotate. The external force pushes the trigger member 5 away from one end of the trigger column 51, the trigger member 5 rotates, the trigger column 51 disposed on the other end of the trigger member 5 presses the switch 6, causing the switch 6 to be closed, and the motor 31 rotates to result in the pushing state.

[0066] In some possible embodiments, a first circular arc groove 323 and a second circular arc groove 324 are provided on the output end gear 32, the second circular arc groove 324 is communicated with the first circular arc groove 323, the first circular arc groove 323 and the second circular arc groove 324 form a closed ring, and a width of the second circular arc groove 324 is greater than a width of the first circular arc groove 323. The trigger member 5 has a mating shaft 52, and a torsion spring 7 is provided between the trigger member 5 and the housing 1. In the standby state, the mating shaft 52 is located in the second circular arc groove 324, and a gap exists between the trigger column 51 and the switch 6 under the action of the torsion spring 7. Under the action of an external force, the pushing member 2 rotates, so that the mating shaft 52 moves toward a center of a drive gear, and the trigger column 51 and the switch 6 are in contact. In the return state, the mating shaft 52 is located in the first circular arc groove 323, and the trigger column 51 and the switch 6 are kept in contact. The motor 31 continues to rotate the mating shaft 52 to move from the first circular arc groove to the second circular arc groove 324 until the mating shaft 52 is located in the second circular arc groove 324. Under the action of the torsion spring 7, the trigger column 51 disengages from the switch 6 again to turn off the switch 6, and the motor 31 stops operation, resulting in the standby state again.

[0067] The motor 31 is an electric motor 31. When the switch 6 is pressed, the circuit is turned on the circuit, and the motor 31 rotates. When the switch 6 is not pressed, the circuit is turned off, and the motor 31 does not rotate.

[0068] In some possible embodiments, the pushing member 2 includes an end body 21, a middle strip 22 and side strips 23 provided on both sides of the middle strip 22, the middle strip 22 and the side strips 23 are both connected to the end body 21, and the end body 21 can extend out of the communication port 12 or retract from the communication port 12 into the cavity 11. The elastic member 4 includes a spring, and one end of the spring is sleeved on the middle strip 22. A limiting claw 24 is provided on the two side strips 23 respectively, and the limiting claws 24 on the two side strips 23 extend in opposite directions. A blocking portion 15 is provided in the interior of the housing 1, and when the pushing member 2 extends out of the communication port 12 to a limit position in the pushing state, the limiting claws 24 abut against the blocking portion 15. The spring is sleeved on the middle strip 22, which can ensure that the elastic force is always applied along the length direction of the pushing member 2, and the running trajectory of the pushing member 2 is accurate when the pushing member 2 is ejected. The two limiting claws 24 limit the pushing member 2 at the communication port 12, prevent the whole pushing member 2 from being ejected from the communication port 12, and ensure normal operation of subsequent actions.

[0069] In some possible embodiments, an inner wall of the housing 1 is provided with guide ribs 14, and the guide ribs 14 extend into gaps between the middle strip 22 and the side strips 23. When the pushing member 2 is ejected and retracts, the guide ribs 14 slides along the gaps, and the guide ribs 14 limit the ejection trajectory and retracting trajectory of the pushing member 2, ensuring that the movement trajectory of the pushing member 2 is accurate and no jamming phenomenon occurs.

Embodiment 2

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of the present application provides a ball pushing toy including a shaped housing 200 and a ball pushing mechanism 100 as described in Embodiment 1. The shaped housing 200 has an inner cavity, a surface of the shaped housing 200 forms a concave cavity 201, and an inner wall of the concave cavity 201 is provided with an avoidance port. The ball pushing mechanism 100 is disposed in the inner cavity, and a communication port 12 of the ball pushing mechanism 100 is communicated with the avoidance port. When a toy ball rolls into the concave cavity 201, the toy ball can touch the push member 2 extending out of the communication port 12, and the ball pushing mechanism 100 operates to push the ball out of the concave cavity 201. Since the ball pushing toy of the present embodiment uses the ball pushing mechanism 100 described in Embodiment 1, after the pushing member 2 is released and ejected, the electric drive assembly can drive the pushing member 2 to automatically realize the reset of the pushing member 2, preparing for the next pushing of a toy ball. The ball pushing mechanism 100 of the present application can achieve fully automatic operation of several operating states of the pushing member 2 internally without manual operation by a player, greatly improving the effect of interaction between the player and the ball pushing mechanism 100, and thus greatly enhancing the fun during playing, enabling the player to maintain interest in the mechanism for a longer period of time.

[0071] The above description merely illustrates preferred embodiments of the present application, and is not intended to limit the present application in any form. Although the present application has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present application. Any person skilled in the present patent can make some changes or modifications as equivalent changes to equivalent embodiments by using the above-mentioned technical contents without departing from the scope of the present application. However, without departing from the technical solution of the present application, any simple alterations, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments in accordance with the technical essence of the present application still fall within the scope of the present application.