Abstract:
A toy top equipped with a motor having a battery as a power source, wherein a main body is furnished with: a first wheel and a second wheel provided a specified distance from each other in a wheel axis direction; and a motive power transmission mechanism, for transmitting motive power from the motor and for rotating the first wheel in a first direction while rotating the second wheel in a second different direction The toy top is stable with respect to external forces and with which a range of top games can be broadened.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. Section 371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2014/060737, filed Apr. 15, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a toy top. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A toy top that includes a motor to rotate a spinning shaft is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 as an electric toy top. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 1: JP S54-114344 A 
     In the electric toy top described in Patent Document 1, since the toy top is supported by a single spinning shaft, the position may become too unstable when it is subjected to an external force. 
     Another problem is that, the toy top cannot be started from a state of being placed on a floor, since the standing position cannot be maintained at a low spinning speed. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy top that is relatively stable against external forces, can be started from a state of being placed on a floor, and that can therefore widen the ways to play with toy tops. 
     The invention can include a toy top having a battery and a motor powered by the battery, 
     wherein a main body includes: 
     a first wheel and a second wheel that are disposed at a predetermined distance from each other along a wheel axis; and 
     a power transmission mechanism that is capable of transmitting a power of the motor to rotate the first wheel in a first direction and to rotate the second wheel in a second direction that is different from the first direction. 
     The invention can include a toy top according to the above, wherein the motor is a reversible motor. 
     The invention can include a toy top according to the above, wherein the power transmission mechanism is configured such that when the motor rotates in a forward direction, the first wheel rotates in the first direction and the second wheel rotates in the second direction, and when the motor rotates in a reverse direction, the first wheel rotates in the first direction and the second wheel is disconnected from power transmission. 
     The invention can include a toy top according to the above, wherein the main body further includes a lock that locks rotation of the second wheel when the motor rotates in the reverse direction. 
     The invention can include a toy top according to the above, 
     wherein the power transmission mechanism includes:
         a sun gear coupled to the motor;   a first planetary gear and a second planetary gear that are engaged with the sun gear;   a first gear train coupled to the first wheel; and   a second gear train coupled to the second wheel,       

     wherein when the motor rotates in the forward direction,
         the first planetary gear is coupled to the first wheel through an even or odd number of first power transmission gear in the first gear train, and the second planetary gear is coupled to the second wheel through a specified number of second power transmission gear in the second gear, in which the specified number has a same parity as the number of the first transmission gear, and       

     wherein when the motor rotates in the reverse direction,
         the second planetary gear is coupled to the first wheel through a specified number of third power transmission gear in the first gear train, and the first planetary gear is not engaged with any gear in the second gear train, in which the specified number has different parity from the number of the first transmission gear.       

     The “same parity” means that if one is an even number, then the other is also an even number. If one is an odd number, then the other is also an odd number. The “different parity” means that if one is an even number, then the other is an odd number. If one is an odd number, then the other is an even number. 
     The invention can include a toy top according to the above, wherein the first planetary gear and the second planetary gear are supported by an arm that swings about an axis of the sun gear, and 
     wherein the lock mechanism includes a part to be locked that is integrally formed with one of gears in the second gear train, and a locking part that is disposed in the arm and that locks the part to be locked when the motor rotates in the reverse direction so as to lock rotation of the second wheel. 
     With the above, the top body does not have a spinning shaft (axis rod) but spins by means of a pair of wheels. Therefore, novel and innovative toy tops can be achieved. Further, since the top body stands on the pair of wheels, the spinning position is relatively stable. This is particularly advantageous during startup or the like when the spinning speed is low. Further, the toy top is driven by the motor. Therefore, toy tops that can stably spin for a long time can be achieved. In this case, inexpensive toy tops can be achieved by using only a single motor. 
     With the above, not only does the pair of wheels rotate in mutually opposite directions, but also the rotational direction of the motor can be reversed. This enables the toy top to perform a variety of motions. Therefore, toy tops that perform novel motions can be achieved. 
     With the above, not only does the pair of wheels rotate in mutually opposite directions, but also the rotational direction of the motor can be reversed so that one of the wheels is disconnected from power transmission. This can make the toy top perform different motions. Therefore, toy tops that perform novel motions can be achieved. 
     With the above, the rotation of the second wheel is locked when the motor rotates in the reverse direction. This makes the motion of the toy top unstable compared to the state in which the pair of wheels rotates in mutually opposite directions. Accordingly, depending on the conditions of the floor on which the toy top is placed when playing, the spinning speed of the toy top and the like, the toy top performs a variety of amusing motions, such as a circulating motion. For battle toy tops for example, such motions are effective in order to dodge an attack. In particular, when the toy top transits from the state in which the pair of wheels rotates in mutually opposite directions to the state in which the rotation of one of the wheels is locked, it is possible to enjoy a more drastic change of behavior. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy top according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the outer appearance thereof. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the toy top according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a main body lower portion of the toy top according to the embodiment, illustrating the inside of the main body. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a power transmission mechanism of the toy top according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the power transmission mechanism of the toy top according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A  is a plan view illustrating an operation of the power transmission mechanism. 
         FIG. 6B  is a plan view of the toy top illustrating the behavior thereof when the power transmission mechanism operates as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  is a plan view illustrating another operation of the power transmission mechanism. 
         FIG. 7B  is a plan view of the toy top illustrating the behavior thereof when the power transmission mechanism operates as illustrated in  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the toy top according to the embodiment from below. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an example of a battle stadium for the toy top according to the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, a toy top according to embodiments of the present invention will be described. 
     OVERALL 
     1. Configuration 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy top according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the outer appearance thereof, and  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the toy top. 
     The toy top  1  roughly includes a main body  10 , an upper deck  11  disposed over the main body  10 , side plates  12  protruding outward from the sides of the main body  10 , and a bottom plate  13  disposed on the bottom of the main body  10 . The main body  10  may instead not be provided with the upper deck  11 , the side plates  12  or the bottom plate  13 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the main body  10  includes a main body upper portion  10   a  and a main body lower portion  10   b . Inside the main body  10 , a motor  16  and batteries  28  are provided. Further, in the lower part of the main body  10 , a pair of wheels  14   a ,  14   b  (see  FIG. 8 ) is provided. Further, in the main body  10 , a photosensor  29   a  and a power switch  29   b  are provided. 
     2. Outline of Action 
     When the power switch  29   b  of the toy top  1  is turned on and then a hand is held over the toy top  1  such that the hand passes over the toy top  1  once, the toy top  1  spins in the same location. When a hand is held over the toy top  1  such that the hand passes over the toy top  1  twice in a predetermined short time, the toy top spins and performs a variety of actions such as a large circling action. When a hand is held over the toy top  1  for a long time, the toy top  1  stops the action, although it is not particularly limited thereto. 
     Hereinafter, details of the toy top  1  will be described. 
     DETAILS 
     1. Configuration of Main Body  10   
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the main body lower portion  10   b  has a bowl shape. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the main body lower portion  10   b  rotatably supports the wheels  14   a ,  14   b  at the left and right sides across the center axis. 
     A frame  15  is disposed between the left and right wheels  14   a ,  14   b , and a reversible motor  16  is disposed therein. The reversible motor  16  is attached in the frame  15  such that the shaft thereof extends in the vertical direction and protrudes downward. Further, the main part of a power transmission mechanism  17  is mounted in the frame  15 , which is capable of coupling the reversible motor  16  with the left and right wheels  14   a ,  14   b.    
     In the main body lower portion  10   b , three AAA batteries  28  are disposed, but they are not particularly limited thereto. The three batteries  28  are disposed surrounding the frame  15  from three directions. The three batteries  28  are electrically connected in series when they are disposed in the main body lower portion  10   b.    
     The toy top  1  also includes a controller  29   c  that controls the motor  16 . The controller  29   c  is housed in a control box  29  disposed in the upper part of the toy top  1 . The controller  29   c  is constituted by a programmable logic circuit or a wired logic circuit. 
     On the upper surface of the control box  29 , the photosensor  29   a  is disposed. The photosensor  29   a  detects the manner of a hand gesture, and the controller  29   c  controls the motor  16  based on the detection result. For example, when a hand is held over the toy top  1  such that the hand passes over the toy top  1  once, the controller  29   c  makes the toy top  1  spin in the same place by controlling the rotation of the motor  16 . When a hand is held over the toy top  1  such that the hand passes over the toy top  1  twice in a predetermined short time T 1 , the controller  29   c  makes the toy top  1  perform a variety of actions such as a large circling action by controlling the rotation of the motor  16 . When a hand is held over the toy top  1  for a long time, the controller  29   c  makes the toy top  1  stop the action by controlling the rotation of the motor  16 . When another hand gesture is performed while the toy top  1  is spinning according to a certain hand gesture, the controller  29   c  switches the action of the toy top  1 . 
     The controlling manner of the controller  29   c  is not limited thereto. For example, while the toy top  1  is spinning at the same place after a hand is held over the toy top  1  once, when a hand is held over the toy top  1  once again for a time period longer than the time T 1 , the controller  29   c  may increase the spinning speed of the toy top  1  by controlling the rotation of the motor  16 . 
     2. Power Transmission Mechanism 
     Next, the power transmission mechanism  17  will be described based on  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 7 . 
     A pinion  21  is fixed to a shaft  16   a  of the motor  16 . The pinion  21  serves as a sun gear of a planetary gear mechanism. The pinion  21  is engaged with a gear  20   a  and a gear  20   b . The gear  20   a  and the gear  20   b  are disposed sandwiching the pinion  21 . The gear  20   a  and the gear  20   b  serve as planetary gears of the planetary gear mechanism. The gear  20   a  and the gear  20   b  are supported about respective axes by an arm  18  that is swingable about the shaft  16   a  of the motor  16 . Specifically, the arm  18  is swingably supported at the center part thereof by the shaft  16   a  of the motor  16 , the gear  20   a  is supported at one end of the arm  18  by a shaft  19   a , and the gear  20   b  is supported at the other end of the arm  18  by a shaft  19   b.    
     In the wheel  14   a , which is one of the wheels, a crown gear  23   a  is provided. The crown gear  23   a  is engaged with a gear  24   a . Further, the gear  24   a  is engaged with a gear  25   a . The crown gear  23   a  and the gears  24   a ,  25   a  constitute a second gear train. In the gear  24   a , a part to be locked  27   b  with three hooks is integrally provided. 
     In the right wheel  14   b , a crown gear  23   b  is provided. The crown gear  23   b  is engaged with a gear  24   b . Further, the gear  24   b  is engaged with a gear  25   b . The crown gear  23   b  and the gears  24   b ,  25   b  constitute a first gear train. 
     In the power transmission mechanism  17 , for example, when the pinion  21  rotates in the anti-clockwise direction as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the arm  18  swings in the anti-clockwise direction due to rotation of the gears  20   a ,  20   b . As a result of the swing of the arm  18  in the anti-clockwise direction, the gear  20   a  engages with the gear  25   a , and the gear  20   b  engages with the gear  25   b . Accordingly, the rotation of the pinion  21  of the motor  16  is transmitted to the crown gear  23   a  through the gears  20   a ,  25   a ,  24   a  so that the wheel  14   a  rotates in the arrow direction. Also, the rotation of the pinion  21  of the motor  16  is transmitted to the crown gear  23   b  through the gears  20   b ,  25   b ,  24   b  so that the wheel  14   b  rotates in the arrow direction. 
     As a result, the wheels  14   a ,  14   b  rotate in mutually opposite directions. Therefore, the toy top  1  spins in the same place as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . 
     The power transmission mechanism  17  also has a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism disconnects the power transmission to the wheel  14   a  when the pinion  21  rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise direction). For this configuration, in the toy top  1  according to the embodiment, the gear  20   b  of the arm  18  and the gear  24   a  are offset from each other in the vertical direction as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The operation of the clutch mechanism will be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , when the pinion  21  rotates in the clockwise direction, the arm  18  swings in the clockwise direction, and the gear  20   a  engages with the gear  24   b . The gear  24   b  transmits the rotation of the pinion  21  to the wheel  14   b , so that the wheel  14   b  rotates in the arrow direction. While the rotation of the pinion  21  is transmitted to the gear  20   b , it is not transmitted from the gear  20   b  to the gear  24   b  since the gear  20   b  and the gear  24   b  do not engage with each other. Accordingly, the wheel  14   a  is released. 
     The power transmission mechanism  17  also has a brake (lock) mechanism. The brake mechanism  27  regulates the rotation of only one of the pair of wheels  14   a ,  14   b  (wheel  14   a  in the embodiment). As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the brake mechanism  27  includes a locking part  27   a  disposed at the tip of the arm  18  and a part to be locked  27   b  disposed coaxially and integrally with the gear  24   a.    
     The brake (lock) mechanism is not necessarily provided. 
     In the brake mechanism, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , when the pinion  21  rotates in the clockwise direction and the arm  18  thereby swings in the clockwise direction, the locking part  27   a  of the arm  18  engages with (comes in contact with) the part to be locked  27   b  that is integrally formed with the gear  24   a . That is, although the power transmission from the motor  16  has been disconnected, the wheel  14   a  rotates by being driven by the running wheel  14   b , and the part to be locked  27   b  thereby engages with the locking part  27   a  of the arm  18 . As a result, the rotation of the gear  24   a  is locked, and the rotation of the wheel  14   a  is locked accordingly. 
     In this way, while the wheel  14   b  rotates, the rotation of the wheel  14   a  is locked. As a result, for example, the toy top  1  makes a large circle about the wheel  14   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . 
     3. Wheels  14   a ,  14   b    
     Among the pair of wheels  14   a ,  14   b , the free rotatable wheel  14   b  may be made of a highly frictional material such as rubber in order to increase the grip performance against a ground surface such as a floor. Alternatively, a rubber ring or the like may be fitted around the periphery of the wheel  14   b . The locked non-rotatable wheel  14   a  has low friction compared to the wheel  14   b . In principle, the motion of the toy top  1  becomes larger as the gripping performance of the wheel  14   a  is increased, but this also increases the load on the motor  16  and therefore decreases the rotation speed. The above configuration is determined considering the balance between the gripping performance and the rotation speed. When it is not necessary to consider the balance, it is needless to say that the gripping performance of the wheel  14   a  may be increased. 
     4. Upper Deck  11   
     The upper deck  11  of the toy top  1  also serves to change the position of the center of gravity of the toy top  1 . By replacing the upper deck  11  with another one with a different weight, the position of the center of gravity of the toy top  1  can be changed in the vertical direction. Further, the upper deck  11  may also serve as a flywheel. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the upper deck  11  is formed in a disk shape and has a rectangular hole  11   a  in the center. The control box  29  disposed in the upper part of the main body upper portion  10   a  is fitted in the hole  11   a  so that the upper deck  11  is supported. 
     5. Side Plates  12   
     The side plates  12  are weapons for fighting the other toy top  1 . A variety of side plates  12  with different outer shapes are prepared, and a suitable set is selected and attached to the main body  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , each of the side plates  12  has a cutout (or a hole)  12   a  in the middle part. Pins  30  are implanted on the main body lower portion  10   b , and the side plates  12  are held between the main body lower portion  10   b  and the main body upper portion  10   a  with the pins  30  inserted in the cutouts  12   a.    
     6. Bottom Plate  13   
     When the bottom plate  13  comes in contact with a ground surface such as a floor, it causes a change of the behavior due to a change of the load applied thereto. A variety of bottom plates  13  with different uneven shapes of the bottom are prepared, and a suitable one can be selected to enjoy the change. The bottom plate  13  has a hole  13   a  in the center part thereof, and the bottom of the main body  10  is fitted in the hole  13   a  so that the bottom plate  13  is supported. 
     HOW TO PLAY 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , players can play with the toy tops  1  with the above-described configuration, for example, by making them fight each other in a battle stadium  31 . The battle stadium  31  includes an approximately circular field  31   a  and U-shaped standby spaces  31   b  for housing the toy tops  1  at the respective ends of a diameter. The players place the respective toy tops  1  in the standby spaces  31   b  and start them. Then, the toy tops  1  move toward the center of the field  31   a . By using the battle stadium  31 , the players can play a game in which a player loses the game when his/her toy top  1  drops out of the field  31   a.    
     While embodiments of the present invention are described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it should be understood that various changes can be made without changing the features of the present invention. 
     The present invention can be suitably applied to manufacturing of spinning top toys.