Idler Gear
A second 16 tooth gear was introduced, this time dark grey
instead of light gray. At first glance, it may appear identical
to the old gear, and indeed it is the same size with the same tooth
profile. However the critical difference is that the central hole
is round instead of a cross. This allows the gear to spin freely
on an axle but still transmit torque through the teeth. One side
of the central hole has a set of small teeth which can mesh with one of
the toothed bushings, thus allowing the gear to be locked to an axle if
desired. To my knowledge, this feature was never actually used in a
set. Finally, the rear side of the gear is open and has for
evenly spaced dog stops. Whatever could these be for? We
won't find out in 1993, but maybe the future will hold more clues.....
Steering
Wheel
A new 3 spoked steering wheel was introduced which had a cruciform
recess on the back.
Micro
Motor
A new tiny 9V motor was first seen this year and occupies roughly the
space of a 2x2 brick. The motor has very low power but is also
geared down to turn very slowly without external gearing. This
motor, while quite useful, was only ever used in a handful of
sets. Along with the motor there are a pair of brackets which
allow it to be attached to standard studded construction.
There's also a friction pulley which attaches to the motor with a tiny
rubber band allowing it to spin like a built-in clutch after a certain
torque is reached. This motor is always red.
Pole Reverser
The pole reverser is effectively a DC electric
switch. The center axle can be rotated 360 degrees. At each
90 degree position, the switch is off (open). At each 45 degree
position, the switch closes the circuit at a detent. Opposite
directions reverse the polarity of the voltage, thus allowing the motor
(or other attached electrical device) to reverse. The pole
reverser can be turned either with an axle run through the center or
with the new pole reverser handle. This handle fits into the top
and stops at 45 degrees in either direction. One set of 2x2 studs
serves as the input, while the opposite side is the output. It
doesn't matter which is which since this unit simply opens and closes
the circuit.
Axle
and Pin Joiners
A pair of axle joiners were introduced which open up a new set of
building possibilities. The perpendicular joiner allows a pin to
be connected to an axle at right angles. The parallel connector
acts as a butt joint to lengthen axles. The straight connector
also has a set of longitudinal grooves and a set of circumferential
rings. I wonder what these are for? Maybe that's something
else we'll find out in the future.....
Long
Pin
A new long friction pin was introduced. This pin is 3L long with
a stop 1L from one end. This allows a longer series of beams or
other elements to be joined along a single axis without the protruding
ends generated when using an axle with bushings. This part became
very common in the
future.
Beams
Several new beams sizes were introduced.
- The 1x1 beam may seem like a logical extension of the other
sizes, but it has a very important distinction. In a standard
beam, the cross holes are offset from the studs. In the 1x1 beam,
the cross hole is centered under the stud. Again, this may seem
like a minor change, but future uses of some of this year's other new
parts would make this 1/2 stud adjustment critical
- There were also a pair of 1x4 beams with protruding
flanges. One is straight while the other is bent at 45
degrees. Both can be fit with a rubber bumper pad. Oddly,
all 4 of these parts appeared in Technic sets only in 1993, then never
again.
Wheel
and Tire
And for the grand finale, a huge
new wheel and tire set was introduced. The wheel has 6 spokes,
each with a pin hole. The central axle hole is round (not cross)
which means that the wheel can spin freely on an axle. The
addition of a bushing on the axle's rotation locks the axle to the
wheel through a pair of flanges. There's also another large set
of slots on either side of the central axle hole. Again, what
could this be for? There sure must be a lot of new things coming
in 1994 to justify all of this....
This wheel and tire combination would only ever appear in two sets.
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