I think I've rumbled a very dodgy trick in a major label toy product...

naedanger

Ashmil wrote: »

OK, here it is, late as ever. PDF is here, hopefully you can see it

https://app.box.com/s/o0o0u3rs53fmho9y86ixp3fz8uy4inyk

The product is Play Doh Sweet Shoppe - the grinding mechanism which turns Play Doh into little sweet-like balls is the part that has the locking component.

Let me know what you think folks. (ducks for cover)

My thought, seeing only the picture, is the component is to stop the mechanism turning (or slipping) in the reverse direction. However if it works without that piece, and not with it engaged, rules that out.

Whatever its actual purpose it does not seem to me designed to stop the mechanism from working since there is nothing to ensure it only engages after a certain amount of usage. (Something designed to cause failure well within any guarantee or return period would not seem to make any commercial sense.)

Ashmil

sam.4000 wrote: »

Hi
You might want to remove your name from your attachment for your own privacy.

good point

Ashmil

naedanger wrote: »

My thought, seeing only the picture, is the component is to stop the mechanism turning (or slipping) in the reverse direction. However if it works without that piece, and not with it engaged, rules that out.

Whatever its actual purpose it does not seem to me designed to stop the mechanism from working since there is nothing to ensure it only engages after a certain amount of usage. (Something designed to cause failure well within any guarantee or return period would not seem to make any commercial sense.)

I know what you're saying, but with the piece in place, the cog cannot move in any direction.

I wonder if there was some kind of thin piece of plastic in place which would eventually wear out and release the component to spring into place. it would be interesting to open up a new unused one and take a look.

I think it makes perfect (cynical) commercial sense for a product to stop working after a period of time to increase the likelihood of a replacement purchase... I mean, we see this all the time right? Not usually so blatantly though (if I'm right).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

Hasbeen

Looking at pictures, it could be that the component is kept back in place with cover?

When cover is unscrewed it is then allowed to spring out to lock gears.

What is directly opposite it on the inside of cover removed?

naedanger

Ashmil wrote: »

I know what you're saying, but with the piece in place, the cog cannot move in any direction.

I wonder if there was some kind of thin piece of plastic in place which would eventually wear out and release the component to spring into place. it would be interesting to open up a new unused one and take a look.

I think it makes perfect (cynical) commercial sense for a product to stop working after a period of time to increase the likelihood of a replacement purchase... I mean, we see this all the time right? Not usually so blatantly though (if I'm right).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

I agree with what you have said. But my point was there did not appear to be anything to ensure it only stopped working after it was likely to be outside any return period. If there is not something to ensure it does not break too soon then in that case it would not appear to make commercial sense.

(Personally, I think, if there had been a thin piece of plastic you would have found its remnants when you opened the item.)

Ashmil

Hasbeen wrote: »

Looking at pictures, it could be that the component is kept back in place with cover?

When cover is unscrewed it is then allowed to spring out to lock gears.

What is directly opposite it on the inside of cover removed?

No the cover was not what kept the component back from the cog. There is no part of the cover that came into contact with the component.

And, the component had sprung into place of its own accord somehow, before I ever opened the mechanism.

Ashmil

naedanger wrote: »

I agree with what you have said. But my point was there did not appear to be anything to ensure it only stopped working after it was likely to be outside any return period. If there is not something to ensure it does not break too soon then in that case it would not appear to make commercial sense.

(Personally, I think, if there had been a thin piece of plastic you would have found its remnants when you opened the item.)

Maybe, I don't know though, something thin and fragmented could easily have fallen out without me even noticing, along with some play doh crumbs, before I'd even figured out what i was looking for.

Plus for me the main point is, regardless of however it may have been triggered/released - that it WAS triggered/released somehow. That's what happened.

And further to that - what is the component's purpose? The only thing it does is to stop the cogs turning, I can't see any other way of looking at it.

takman

What does the actually toy look like? I have looked on Google but their seems to be multiple products under the name you mentioned. Is it the one that you put the play doh in the top and it makes it into balls that roll down a spiral track?

naedanger

Ashmil wrote: »

Plus for me the main point is, regardless of however it may have been triggered/released - that it WAS triggered/released somehow. That's what happened.

Certainly a valid point.

And further to that - what is the component's purpose? The only thing it does is to stop the cogs turning, I can't see any other way of looking at it.

Yes, it is a shame they didn't answer your question. However personally I'm not convinced by your conclusion. (If I could handle the unit I might change my view but I don't think so, and I am not sufficiently curious to buy the item.)

Ashmil

takman wrote: »

What does the actually toy look like? I have looked on Google but their seems to be multiple products under the name you mentioned. Is it the one that you put the play doh in the top and it makes it into balls that roll down a spiral track?

Oh crikey yes there's loads.

Correct - image here

the yellow section in the middle with the handle is what we're talking about