Mechanical toy
Encyclopedia
Mechanical toy
s are powered by mechanical energy
, for example using rubber band
s, spring
s, and flywheel
s. Mechanical toys use four types of different movements, these are called Rotary (going around in a circle, can be clockwise and anticlockwise), Linear
(moving in a straight line then stopping), Reciprocating (moving backwards and forwards continuously in a straight line) and Oscillating (moving backwards and forwards in a curve).
Cam toys are powered by a cam and cam follower which transfers the cam rotation to the working area of the toy. The cam is unevenly rotated by placing the rotator out of the ideal center. This transforms the circular motion into motion that moves up and powers the toy.
Crank toys are internally based on cams too but allow more complicated motions. Single rotation of the crank leads to single action in the working area of the toy, and moving the crank forward and backward can result in reversed motion.
Gear toys use gear wheels to transfer the power in the toy, to change the speed and direction of motion. They can be powered by hand (with a cram or cam and cam follower) or by wind-up mechanism. The different number of teeth in the gear wheels determine the speed transition from wheel to wheel. By chaining and distributing number of gear wheels this type of mechanical toys allows very complex motions.
Lever toys are mechanical toys that use the mechanical advantage of lever to transmit and transform movement. Level toys can use cranks and cams too.
Pulley toys. Pulleys are very similar to gear wheels but two elements are connected by a metal chain or belt from elastic strong material (for example rubber). Pulleys allow transferring power on distance much easier and with less losses that using number of gear wheels. Using pulleys in mechanical toys also allows to change the angle, the speed and the direction of the motion.
Wind-up toy
s typically are powered by a metal spring that is tightened by turning it. Then gear wheels and pulleys can transfer the power and control the toy motion.
In 16th Century Leonardo da Vinci
created his mechanical lion as a present for king Louis XII. The lion could walk and reveal a cluster of lilies from his chest.
In 1738 Jacques de Vaucanson
created a mechanical robot duck that was able to drink and eat.
Pierre Jaquet-Doz created The Writer, The Draftsman and The Musician - toys that are still present in the museum of Art and History in Switzerland.
Wind up toys date far back into history, into the 15th century.
Wikipedia
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
s are powered by mechanical energy
Mechanical energy
In physics, mechanical energy is the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy present in the components of a mechanical system. It is the energy associated with the motion and position of an object. The law of conservation of energy states that in an isolated system that is only subject to...
, for example using rubber band
Rubber band
A rubber band is a short length of rubber and latex formed in the shape of a loop and is commonly used to hold multiple objects together...
s, spring
Spring (device)
A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are usually made out of spring steel. Small springs can be wound from pre-hardened stock, while larger ones are made from annealed steel and hardened after fabrication...
s, and flywheel
Flywheel
A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device that is used to store rotational energy. Flywheels have a significant moment of inertia, and thus resist changes in rotational speed. The amount of energy stored in a flywheel is proportional to the square of its rotational speed...
s. Mechanical toys use four types of different movements, these are called Rotary (going around in a circle, can be clockwise and anticlockwise), Linear
Linear
In mathematics, a linear map or function f is a function which satisfies the following two properties:* Additivity : f = f + f...
(moving in a straight line then stopping), Reciprocating (moving backwards and forwards continuously in a straight line) and Oscillating (moving backwards and forwards in a curve).
Types of mechanical toys
Depending on the mechanism there are several types of mechanical toys:Cam toys are powered by a cam and cam follower which transfers the cam rotation to the working area of the toy. The cam is unevenly rotated by placing the rotator out of the ideal center. This transforms the circular motion into motion that moves up and powers the toy.
Crank toys are internally based on cams too but allow more complicated motions. Single rotation of the crank leads to single action in the working area of the toy, and moving the crank forward and backward can result in reversed motion.
Gear toys use gear wheels to transfer the power in the toy, to change the speed and direction of motion. They can be powered by hand (with a cram or cam and cam follower) or by wind-up mechanism. The different number of teeth in the gear wheels determine the speed transition from wheel to wheel. By chaining and distributing number of gear wheels this type of mechanical toys allows very complex motions.
Lever toys are mechanical toys that use the mechanical advantage of lever to transmit and transform movement. Level toys can use cranks and cams too.
Pulley toys. Pulleys are very similar to gear wheels but two elements are connected by a metal chain or belt from elastic strong material (for example rubber). Pulleys allow transferring power on distance much easier and with less losses that using number of gear wheels. Using pulleys in mechanical toys also allows to change the angle, the speed and the direction of the motion.
Wind-up toy
Wind-up toy
A wind-up toy is a toy powered by a clockwork motor.-History:Wind-up toys date far back into history, into the 15th century. Karel Grod, a German inventor, created some of the first wind-up toys, including a metal fly and a mechanical eagle. Also, in 1509, Leonardo da Vinci created a wind-up lion...
s typically are powered by a metal spring that is tightened by turning it. Then gear wheels and pulleys can transfer the power and control the toy motion.
History of mechanical toys
One of the first mechanical toys is the flying pigeon by Archytas of Tarentum created 400 years BC.In 16th Century Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance...
created his mechanical lion as a present for king Louis XII. The lion could walk and reveal a cluster of lilies from his chest.
In 1738 Jacques de Vaucanson
Jacques de Vaucanson
Jacques de Vaucanson was a French inventor and artist who was responsible for the creation of impressive and innovative automata and machines such as the first completely automated loom.-Early life:...
created a mechanical robot duck that was able to drink and eat.
Pierre Jaquet-Doz created The Writer, The Draftsman and The Musician - toys that are still present in the museum of Art and History in Switzerland.
Wind up toys date far back into history, into the 15th century.
External links
Wikipedia