Model vehicle with mechanical load
AssigneeLionel L.L.C.
InventorsRichard J Mosher, Jon F. Zahornacky, Robert M. Bosman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method is provided for monitoring and controlling a load disposed at least partially within a model vehicle. Preferred embodiments of the present invention operate in accordance with a load car that includes a load, a motor, and a controller for operating the motor to raise and lower the load. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to monitor at least one metric (e.g., a coal level) and to operate the motor so that the vertical position of the load (e.g., a coal load) is synchronized to the metric. If the metric goes up, then the load is moved (e.g., via the motor) in an upward direction. Alternatively, if the metric goes down, then the load is moved (e.g., via the motor) in a downward direction.
Claims20
A model vehicle configured to carry a load over a model track, calculate virtual changes to said load, and move said load in a vertical direction, thereby simulating said virtual changes to said load, said model vehicle comprising:
- a model vehicle chassis having at least a plurality of walls and a bottom defining a cavity having an upward opening;
- at least one axle having at least two wheels configured to interact with said model track;
- said load disposed within said cavity of said model vehicle chassis such that a portion of said load protrudes through said upward opening;
- a motor on said model vehicle;
- means for said load vertically within said cavity while maintaining said load on said model vehicle in response to said motor being operated in first and second directions;
- and
- a controller configured to calculate at least one change in at least one virtual metric of said model vehicle and to control said motor in response to said at least one change, said at least one virtual metric being one of a virtual water level and a virtual coal level, said at least one virtual metric changing in response to said model vehicle moving over said model track;
- wherein said controller is configured to operate said motor in said first direction in response to said at least one virtual metric decreasing in value and operate said motor in said second direction in response to said at least one virtual metric increasing in value,
- wherein said load is moved in a downward direction as a result of said at least one virtual metric decreasing in value, moving at least a portion of said load from a position outside said cavity to a position inside said cavity, and said load is moved in an upward direction as a result of said at least one virtual metric increasing in value, moving at least a portion of said load from a position inside said cavity to a position outside said cavity while maintaining said entire load on said model vehicle, and
- wherein an amount of said movement in said downward direction substantially corresponds to an amount that said at least one virtual metric has decreased in value and an amount of said movement in an upward direction substantially corresponds to an amount that said at least one virtual metric has increased in value.
A method for mechanically moving a load, said load being disposed at least partially within a cavity of a model vehicle having an upward opening, said model vehicle carrying said load over a model track, comprising:
- calculating by a controller at least one change in at least one virtual metric of said model vehicle, said at least one virtual metric being one of a virtual water level and a virtual coal level, said at least one virtual metric changing in response to said model vehicle moving over said model track;
- operating by said controller a motor in a first direction in response to said at least one virtual metric decreasing in value;
- and
- operating by said controller said motor in a second direction in response to said at least one virtual metric increasing in value;
- wherein said motor is connected to said load via at least a line having a first end connected to said load and a second end connected to said motor, said motor is used to move said load and said first end of said line in a downward direction in response to said at least one virtual metric decreasing in value, moving at least a portion of said load from a position outside said cavity and protruding through said upward opening to a position inside said cavity, and said motor is used to move said load and said first end of said line in an upward direction in response to said at least one virtual metric increasing in value, moving a least a portion of said load from a position inside said cavity to a position outside said cavity via said upward opening while maintaining said entire load on said model vehicle;
- wherein an amount that said load is moved in said downward direction substantially corresponds to an amount that said at least one virtual metric has decreased in value, and an amount that said load is moved in said upward direction substantially corresponds to an amount that said at least one virtual metric has increased in value.
A model vehicle configured for propulsion over a model track, calculating virtual changes corresponding to a load of said model vehicle, and moving said load in a vertical direction in response to said virtual changes, comprising:
- a load disposed partially within a cavity of a model vehicle chassis having at least a plurality of walls and a bottom and configured to be moved in two directions, said cavity having an upward opening,
- said load protruding partially through said upward opening;
- a motor;
- means for moving said load vertically within said cavity while maintaining said load on said model vehicle in response to said motor being operated in first and second directions;
- and
- a controller configured to calculate changes in a virtual metric of said model vehicle and to control said load via said motor in response to said changes in said virtual metric, said virtual metric being one of a virtual coal level and a virtual water level, said virtual metric changing in response to said model vehicle being propelled over said model track;
- wherein said controller is configured to operate said motor in a first direction in response to said virtual metric decreasing in value and operate said motor in a second direction in response to said virtual metric increasing in value,
- wherein said load is moved in a downward direction as a result of said virtual metric decreasing in value, lowering said load into said cavity a distance that substantially corresponds to an amount that said virtual metric has decreased in value, and said load is moved in an upward direction as a result of said virtual metric increasing in value, raising said load through said upward opening and out of said cavity a distance that substantially corresponds to an amount that said metric has increased in value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.