Toy Design : Yo-Yo

Name: ______Instructor: Henry Chen [email protected]

Toy Design : Yo-Yo

Have you ever played with a yo-yo before. Many generations of children have enjoyed this tricky toy. A yo-yo is a simple toy that dates back to the 500 B.C. It consists of a string wound in between two halves and is well known for its up and down motion.

In the space provided below draw as accurately as you can, a picture of a yo-yo.

After you have drawn your design take a moment to view some real yo-yo's. Sketch a picture of them and compare them to your first depiction of a yo-yo above. What features are different or similar? Machines and toys are often designed to very specific specifications. Take several minutes to brainstorm about the important features of a yo-yo and their purpose. Feel free to compare your yo- yo drawing to a real yo-yo for ideas. The goal here is to come up with all the important elements that go into constructing a yo-yo.

Now that you have identified some important features and their purpose you will construct your own yo-yo to specification. There are three challenges. You will be allowed to use any of the materials on the table. When designing your yo-yo for each challenge, keep in mind what feature of the yo-yo you should focus on in order to achieve the prescribed goal. Challenge 1: Construct a yo-yo that will spin as it drops. At the end, the yo-yo will be able to return back to the hand by tugging up.

What feature is necessary in order for the yo-yo to spin as it drops? What feature is necessary for the yo-yo to return to your hand by tugging up? Draw a sketch of your prototype yo-yo. Construct your design!

Does your design fulfill the challenge? Does your prototype resemble your sketch.

How can you improve on your design? Challenge 2: Improve on your prototype by enabling it to spin at the end of the string when you drop it. This is known as a “sleeper”.

What feature is necessary in order for the yo-yo to spin at the end of the string? Draw a sketch of your prototype yo-yo. Construct your design!

How did your yo-yo change from Challenge 1 to Challenge 2? Does your design fulfill the challenge? Does your prototype resemble your sketch.

How can you further improve on your design? Challenge 3: Improve the design of your yo-yo by increasing the spin time of your “sleeper”.

What feature will improve the spin time of the yo-yo? Draw a sketch of your prototype yo-yo. Construct your design!

How did you your yo-yo further evolve from Challenge 2 to Challenge 3? Does your design fulfill the challenge? Does your prototype resemble your sketch.

Are there any ways you can even further increase sleep time? What challenges were your yo-yo successful in?

What are the limitations of your prototype yo-yo?

Name three things you have learned about yo-yo design?

What have you learned today?

How did you learn it?

What remained unclear?

If you were the instructor what would you do differently?