Auto-locking adjustable bar and structure having same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable tables lack adjustable height options and often have unprotected control switches, leading to accidental folding or collapsing, posing safety risks, especially for children.

Innovation Solution

The development of adjustable bars and structures featuring a locking/unlocking mechanism with a tubular outer bar, an inner bar, and a locking pin that restricts movement in one direction while allowing adjustment, incorporating one-way restriction structures and a fixation pin to prevent accidental release, enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a control switch is added to enable height adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidprotection against accidental activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing a locking mechanism that proactively prevents accidental activation. The locking pin and restriction member create a mechanical interlock that must be deliberately disengaged, thereby preventing unintended height changes before they can occur. This anticipatory protection resolves the contradiction by maintaining adjustability while preemptively blocking accidental activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking pin serves as an intermediary element between the control switch and the height adjustment mechanism. It acts as a mediator that must be actively engaged or disengaged to permit or prevent adjustment, thereby adding a layer of protection against accidental activation while preserving the intended height adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental release, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental foldingVSAvoidlocking mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking pin, a restriction member with positioning holes, and a control switch. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall mechanism more manageable and easier to manufacture despite the increased complexity required for reliable locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking pin is nested within the restriction member, with the pin fitting into positioning holes that are part of the restriction member structure. This nested arrangement compactly integrates the locking and positioning functions into a space-efficient design, reducing the overall complexity footprint while maintaining reliable locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11330900B2Auto-locking adjustable bar and structure having same

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 GEXIN XIAMEN SPORTS EQUIP

AI summary

Disclosed are adjustable bars and structures having adjustable bars. An adjustable bar includes an inner bar, an outer bar and a locking/unlocking mechanism to control relative movement of the inner and outer bars. The locking/unlocking mechanism includes a locking pin to be selectively inserted into a restriction hole of the outer tubular bar and a restriction member of the inner bar, thereby selectively restricting relative movement of the inner and outer bars in at least one direction. The locking/unlocking mechanism also includes a feature to prevent accidental release of the locking pin from the restriction member. Structures having such adjustable bars are easy and safer to use.