Adjustable divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dividers, such as spring-type and press-type dividers, face challenges in providing sufficient pressure and ease of use when the length of the storage space is close to the divider's fixed length, leading to difficulties in compression and tooth slipping.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable divider system comprising a first divider member, a second divider member, a third divider member, and a stop mechanism, where the second divider member is connected to the first and third members via elastic means and a stop mechanism that allows one-directional movement, ensuring easy installation and removal without requiring excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spring is placed directly under a telescopic rod to provide pressure to fix a partition, then the partition can be fixed in a drawer, but the partition needs to extremely compress the spring when the drawer is too short, making it difficult for users to use
Solution Approach 1:
The partition is divided into multiple telescopic rod segments that can extend and contract relative to each other. This segmentation allows the partition to achieve its extended length through cumulative movement of multiple segments rather than requiring extreme compression of a single spring, thereby reducing the force needed for operation while maintaining adequate fixing pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
A button mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the telescopic rod. The button engages with teeth on the telescopic rod to provide mechanical advantage during extension, and a spring acts as an intermediary to maintain continuous pressure on the partition against the drawer wall, ensuring reliable fixation without requiring extreme user force.
2Reliability
If the pitch range is reduced to prevent tooth slipping, then the reliability of the press-type drawer partition is improved, but it becomes difficult to press the button when the difference between the length of a drawer and a press-type drawer partition is just within the range of half a pitch
Solution Approach 1:
The pitch between teeth on the telescopic rod and button is designed to be variable rather than fixed. The pitch changes dynamically based on the extension state of the telescopic rod, allowing for larger pitch ranges during button pressing operations while maintaining appropriate pitch for preventing tooth slipping during normal operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable divider effectively addresses the issues of insufficient pressure and ease of use by allowing easy installation and removal, providing consistent pressure across various storage space lengths without tooth slipping, thus enhancing usability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member arranged between the second divider member and the third divider member
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable divider includes: a first divider member, a second divider member, a third divider member, and a stop mechanism. The second divider member is located between the first divider member and the third divider member; the first divider member is movably connected to the second divider member; the second divider member is movably connected to the third divider member; an elastic member is arranged between the second divider member and the third divider member; the stop mechanism is mounted in the first divider member; and a positioning rack is arranged in the second divider member. When the stop mechanism is engaged with the positioning rack, the second divider member can only move in one direction; and when the stop mechanism is separated from the positioning rack, the second divider member can move freely on the first divider member.