39-245

Rapid Design through Virtual and Physical Prototyping

Project 1

Wind Up Helicopter

The “Magic” (Physical Principle)
The physical concept on which the Wind up Helicopter is based on is; as the blades on the helicopter reach a certain rotating speed, they create opposing air fiction, creating high pressure on the bottom and low pressure on the top of the blade which causes lift. Basically high and low pressure.

How it works:
The body of the helicopter is held in one hand (not versatile for right and left handed people. The cord is designed to be only on one side.. “sorry lefties” ) almost like a pistol. When the cord is pulled, through specially adjusted gear ratios, the moment is transferred onto the blades with enough speed to create lift. The nub (to which the blades are attached too) snaps onto the body and can be released by the pull of the trigger. Once the trigger is pulled the blades are released from the helicopter. If the trigger is not pressed (doesn’t matter if blades are spinning or not) the blades will not separate from the body.

Who could play with one of these?
The toy is designed for children ages six and up. The toy is purposely designed to look like a helicopter to make it more appealing to the eyes and imagination of the kids when they play with it. The only barrier that would keep younger kids from being able to enjoy this toy is lacking the physical strength to pull the cord hard enough to make the blades reach the required speed. This toys can be interactive or enjoyed by one or more children.

Do I need a manual?
The toy needs little explanation. A picture on the box could be used to demonstrate how to use the toy. The blades are shielded by a plastic guard (same material as the blades) so the only direction that a foreign object can make contact with the blades is either from above or below. Despite this, the blades are very light weight and don’t carry enough momentum to cause any harm to the operator or anyone that would come into its course trajectory.
The “magic” of the toy will not be lost by the kids the first time they play with it. The Toy Copter comes with three sets of blades (each blade is a different color). The angle at with the blades are set (between the nub and guard) are purposely designed at different degrees. As the child plays with the toy, he will begin to wonder why the different colored blades reach attitude faster then others.

Durability and Cost:
The Wind Up Helicopter can be entirely constructed of plastic, except the cord and a few holding screws. It would make more sense to create the main axle the gear rests on out of some sort of steel for more endurance. The retractable cord is wound back into the body by a rubber band.

Depending on how many “lift off’s” the child puts on the toy copter, the toy should last 3-6months.
Based on the volume produced, including packaging and assembly, the toy copter would range $2-3 to make. Manufacturing suggested retail price would be $7-8.
It is a fairly simple toy with not a great deal of complexity. The consumer should be under the impression that in a short time either the child will loose interest or will have to be given a replacement toy when this one has been destructed. “What can you expect for seven bucks?”

Tommy Figiel