Addition/Subtraction Dumbbell

Overview

The goal of this project was to create a novel design of an addition/subtraction mechanism that can act as an educational toy for children aged 2 and up. Alongside with my partner, we had to design a mechanism that is research-driven while at the same time safe for children to handle. This is accomplished by creating a whole mechanism that can perform the addition/subtraction operation without having any loose parts.

Currently in the market, there are a variety of educational toys that can help children learn addition/subtraction. However, a lot of the toys in the market are just different versions of an abacus. Also, toys such as the math keyboard contain small pieces that could potentially break off which could become hazardous for children when being handled. To improve upon what is currently existing in the market, we came up with a prototype of a dumbbell toy that can perform the addition/subtraction operation while satisfying all of the potential hazard backed up by research.

My Role

Research

Preliminary Sketch

SolidWorks Sketch

Software

SolidWorks

Team Members

Anton Deti

Timeframe

2 weeks

Design Process

Research and Sketch

Started by surveying the market to see what are the current market solutions to help children learn to add and subtract, while making sure it is 100% original and no inspiration is taken from existing competitors. Then backing it up by research to understand what kind of toys are most optimal and safest for children to learn. A design of a preliminary sketch is made to see if the addition/subtraction operation works in our design after completing the research.

3-D Modeling

The idea from the preliminary sketch was made into a 3-D model in SolidWorks. The process begins with the sketch of the yellow ring with an axle combination for sturdiness so it would not break as easily when handled by children. Followed by making the two half-circular disks each with an extruded-center portion to fit into the yellow ring's center opening. Also, stickers of numbers were added to the two sketches to perform the addition/subtraction operation.

Assembling

Assembling all of the sketches together into a dumbbell by using four blue clamps with a screw on each side. Since the design is a prototype, it is acceptable to use screws to hold the mechanism together as long as the addition/subtraction operation works. If the dumbbell was needed to be made into a real product then a more careful consideration of how the clamp would hold the mechanism together would be necessary, since using screws are dangerous for children.

Outcome

How it works

The innermost ring and the outermost ring (shown below in red) moves in-sync when rotated. Since, the yellow ring is its own part it rotates on its own. On the yellow ring, it consist of the numbers +1, +2, and so on for addition and -1, -2, and so on for subtraction lined up with the circumference. On the innermost ring, it exist all single digits from 0 to 9 that will be applied to the +1, +2, ... for the addition side and -1, -2, ... for the subtraction side when rotating the dumbbell. Finally, the outermost ring will output the result, lined directly, above the yellow square opening (Note: parallel to the number in the square opening, not the number in the square opening).

Subtraction Side

Demonstration:

6 (innermost ring) - 5 (center ring) = 1 (outermost ring)

Addition Side

Demonstration:

0 (innermost ring) + 5 (center ring) = 5 (outermost ring)

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