Activity 6.

3 Functional Analysis
Automoblox
Introduction
You have performed a visual analysis of your Automoblox vehicle to identify the
visual design principles and elements that give the object its visual appeal, or lack
thereof. The next step in the reverse engineering process involves the study of the
objects function. This is done through careful observation of the objects sequential
operation before it is disassembled. By first observing the product, you can
hypothesize how a product operates and then compare your predictions to your
actual findings after the part is dissected.
In this activity, you will perform a functional analysis of your Automoblox vehicle

Equipment
Example product observation
Engineering notebook
Pencil
Automoblox vehicle

Procedure
Before measurement and dissection, theorize how the various sub-systems of the
toy function through non-destructive observation. Study the toy and then respond to
the following.

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Product Name:
Company Name:

Automoblox S9 sedan
Automoblox Company

1. What is the purpose or primary function of the object?

To provide entertainment to young children.

2. Sketch an isometric pictorial of the product in your engineering notebook and

label the individual components. If you are not sure what a particular component
is called, then make a logical guess.

3. Make an educated guess regarding each of the following.

a. Without removing any wheels from the vehicle, explain what design
detail(s) allow the wheels to rotate freely while remaining attached to the
axle pin?
The whole wheel appears separated into free functioning pieces.
The axle seems attached to the car, giving it a grounded position in contrast to
the wheel.
The axle pin appears to have small outcroppings at the end that keeps the
wheel in place
The axles appear to be separate entities, allowing each of them to spin freely.
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b. Remove a wheel and examine the design of the wheel and axle pin. Was
your hypothesis correct? If not, describe the operation of the wheel and
axle that allows free rotation but secures the wheel to the axle pin.
I was right about majority of the things I hypothesized.
However I was wrong about two things.
The Axle does not have small outcroppings, but instead pegs with a Transitional
fit in regards to the wheels central hole.
Number 2 was the fact that there is a second thing keeping the parts together,
the metal wheel has raised edges along the top to keep the rubber treads in
place.

c. Without disassembling the vehicle, hypothesize how the connector pieces

(including all three separate pieces that make up the connector assembly)
securely attach the body parts together while allowing easy disassembly
by a child when an adequate force is applied.
The connector probably works via a Lego method where it connects the parts by
putting pieces of one part into another.
The plastic connectors probably do the same for the wood pieces as well.
This fit is probably transitional so the lock together well.

d. Disassemble the vehicle and examine the connector pieces. Was your
hypothesis on the operation of the connector pieces correct? If not,
describe the operation of connector pieces such that connector assembly
securely attaches the body parts together while allowing easy disassembly
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by a child.
My hypothesis was correct, they do assemble by putting pieces of one another
together via transitional fits.

e. What is the purpose of the raised ridge pattern on the top and bottom
center clips of the connector piece?
To Hook onto other blocks better (?)

f. What other elements of the product design appear to have a specific

function or design intent? Consider the choice of materials, form/size of
various pieces of the vehicle, durability, target market, and ease-of-use.
Ask yourself, Why did the designer make this choice?
The wooden pieces are probably smooth so that they are comfortable to hold,
look more aesthetically pleasing and go faster via streamlining.
The front pieces wedge shape is probably also to help in streamline better.
The wheels and axles probably move separately in order to give more design
freedom during reassembly by the recipient.
The wheels seem unable to turn, meaning the toy is more focused on the
assembly rather than its ability to be an actual car.
Windshield appears larger than it needs to be in order to pad out the cars
aerodynamic figure.

4. Identify the system inputs, intended product function, and outputs in the table
below.

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Inputs
Manual force
Manual force

Product Function
Wheels move
disconnects

Manual force

reconnects

Output
Movement, noise, heat
Movement, noise, heat,
parts disconnected
Movement, noise, heat,
parts connect

Conclusion
1. Why do engineers perform reverse engineering on products?

5. What does a black box represent in the system input/output model?

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