The two central elements of the Carousel’s design is the pole and the base that each rotate in an opposite direction from each other. When the Carousel is wound up, it seems that both the central pole and the platform are rotating at a faster speed than they actually are. It happens thanks to the opposite-direction rotations that we mentioned. They create this fascinating and life-like motion of the whole construction.
But let’s find out what creates the motion in the first place. If you are familiar with other UGears sets, you might have guessed that the power is created by a wind-up rubber-band motor. The wind-up key that is located at the base of the model, creates tension in the rubber bands. These bands are, in turn, attached to the main axle. Then, the main axle is connected to the central pole. These two are joined together by means of a planetary gear. This is a part that you can find in any modern bicycle and which allows you to switch between speeds. Additionally, the pendulum gear slows down the rotation of the main axle. That makes the Carousel’s movements smoother and more realistic.
As for the decorative elements of this model, the Carousel truly stands out among many other UGears sets. The base features an open design. This allows you to observe the rubber band mechanism as it slowly unwinds. Apart from the central pole, there are additional ones that are called crankshafts. They are set in two rows and move the horses up and down. To ensure the realistic nature of this model, the designers put in two types of horses. The horses move up and down at different times. To add even more fun, there are birds on top of each horse’s crankshaft. Together with the charming exterior ornaments and a waving flag on the top of the Carousel, it creates a stunning sight.
