Adjustment mechanism and structure having same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable tables lack adjustable height mechanisms that are easy to use and safe, often requiring multiple people to adjust and may pose safety risks due to unexpected folding or collapsing.
Innovation Solution
An auto-locking adjustment mechanism comprising a casing, arms, and a button with elastic members that allows for easy height adjustment and prevents accidental collapse, featuring a mechanism where the button's movement along a perpendicular direction causes the arms to protrude or retract, maintaining the adjusted position with elastic members holding the button in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex adjustment mechanism is used to enable height adjustment, then the table becomes adjustable in height, but the mechanism requires more than one person to operate and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate adjustment arms into a single integrated mechanism controlled by one button. The first and second arms are both operably coupled to the same button, allowing simultaneous control of both arms through a single operation, thus reducing the number of people needed to operate the mechanism while maintaining height adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The button serves multiple functions: it controls both the first arm and second arm simultaneously, and works in conjunction with the elastic members to provide both adjustment and auto-locking capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the mechanism while achieving the desired height adjustment
2Reliability
If no locking mechanism is provided, then the adjustment mechanism remains simple, but the table may fold or collapse unexpectedly causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members automatically lock the arms in their adjusted positions without requiring additional locking mechanisms or manual intervention. The first elastic member holds the button (and thus the first arm) at a fixed position, while the second elastic member holds the second arm at a fixed position, providing self-service locking that ensures table stability without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members are pre-configured to exert restoring forces that prevent the arms from moving to unintended positions. The first elastic member prevents the first arm from moving inward, and the second elastic member prevents the second arm from moving inward, thereby preliminarily counteracting any forces that might cause the table to fold or collapse
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustment without assistance is desired, then ease of operation improves, but the mechanism must be designed to be operable by a single person
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of two arms into a single button operation. When the button is pressed, both the first arm and second arm are simultaneously controlled to move outward, allowing one person to easily adjust the table height without needing assistance from another person
Solution Approach 2:
The button acts as an intermediary that translates a single user action into coordinated movement of both arms. By pressing the button, the user indirectly controls both arms through the button's interaction with the elastic members and the arms' coupling to the button, simplifying the operation to a single intuitive action
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
Enables easy, convenient, and safe height adjustment of tables, preventing accidental collapse and ensuring the arms remain in the desired position without external force, enhancing user safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the one or more first elastic members includes a first end abutting the casing and a second end abutting the button, thereby holding the button at a fixed position in the absence of any external force
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are adjustment mechanisms and structures including one or more adjustment mechanisms. An adjustment mechanism comprising a casing, first and second arms, a second arm, a button, and an elastic member. The first and second arms are movably disposed in a channel of the casing. The button is operably coupled with the first and second arms and selectively pushes a first end of the first arm out of a first side of the casing and a second end of a second arm out of a second side of the casing. The elastic member abuts the casing and button such that the button is held at a desired position and consequently the first and second arms are held at a desired state under normal conditions. The adjustment mechanisms of the present disclosure provide an easy, convenient and safe means for height or length adjustment.