Ball-Joint Universal Platform With Elastic Force Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing universal platforms face issues with maintaining the clamping force between the bottom base and the ball head due to environmental temperature variations and material aging, leading to loosening and inability to maintain specific positions or angles.
Innovation Solution
The universal platform incorporates an elastic member between the fixed base and the locking member, providing an elastic force that stabilizes the position and deflection angle of the rotating base, even when the clamping force declines due to aging or temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clamping force of the bottom base on the ball head is increased to maintain positioning, then the positioning stability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement becomes extremely high and labor cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary element between the locking member and the ball head. This buffer member absorbs excess clamping force and provides a compliant interface, allowing the bottom base to maintain reliable positioning without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision. The buffer member acts as a mediator that decouples the rigid force transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the buffer member are selected to provide controlled compliance under clamping force. By changing the physical parameters (material elasticity, thickness) of the buffer member, the system achieves reliable positioning with reduced dependence on precise dimensional control of the bottom base, thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements.
2Reliability
If a locking method such as a screw is used to increase the clamping force, then the positioning stability is improved, but the excess driving force during locking can easily damage the thread and screw components
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member is pre-installed between the locking member and the ball head to cushion against excess clamping force before it can damage the screw thread components. This beforehand cushioning prevents the harmful transmission of overload to the fastening elements, protecting them from damage while still achieving the required positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs and limits the force transmission from the locking member to the ball head. This intermediary element prevents direct transmission of excessive driving force that would otherwise damage the screw thread, while still maintaining sufficient clamping force for stable positioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If the clamping force between the bottom base and the ball head is insufficient, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ball head cannot be positioned at an appropriate position or angle
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member's material and dimensional parameters are optimized to provide sufficient clamping force for reliable positioning while avoiding the need for excessive manufacturing precision. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve positioning capability at lower manufacturing costs by using standard tolerances combined with the compliant buffer element.
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 elastic member effectively compensates for the lost clamping force, preventing the rotating base from loosening and ensuring consistent angle adjustment, thus enhancing the platform's stability and reliability over time.
Implementation Method 1
Through an elastic force provided by an elastic member, a fixed base is pressed against a rotating base to stabilize the position and the deflection angle of the rotating base in the fixed base
Implementation Method 2
the elastic member may compensate for the clamping force lost by the fixed base after the material of the fixed base ages
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a universal platform including a bottom base, an upper cover, a fixed base, a rotating base, at least one locking member, and at least one elastic member. The upper cover is disposed on the bottom base and has a through hole. The fixed base is disposed between the upper cover and has a concave. The concave is aligned to the through hole to form a receiving space. The rotating base is disposed in the receiving space and partially protrudes outside of the through hole. The at least one locking member is connected to the upper cover through the fixed base. The at least one elastic member is disposed between the fixed base and the at least one locking member.