Universal Joint Assembly With Internal Clamping Against Ball-Shaft Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional universal joint assemblies lack an anti-theft mechanism, allowing electronic products installed on them to be easily removed along with the ball shaft.
Innovation Solution
A universal joint assembly design featuring a base with an accommodating groove and clamping members inside, where a locking member presses the ball shaft and bearing portions, causing the clamping members to pivot and clamp the ball shaft, preventing removal from the outside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the locking member is disposed on the outer side of the base, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electronic product can be removed together with the ball shaft, resulting in no anti-theft effect
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is moved from the outer side to the inner side of the base, nesting it within the base structure. The locking member is positioned inside the accommodating groove, surrounded by the base wall, making it inaccessible from the outside. This nesting arrangement prevents theft while maintaining structural integrity and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the locking member on the outer side of the base as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning it on the inner side. This inversion allows the locking member to press the ball shaft from within the base, creating an anti-theft mechanism that prevents removal of the ball shaft and attached electronic product.
2Device complexity
If the locking member presses the ball shaft from the outside, then the structure is simple, but the ball shaft can be easily removed without anti-theft protection
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is nested within the base structure, positioned inside the accommodating groove. This nesting configuration allows the locking member to press the ball shaft from the inside while being protected by the base wall, preventing external access and removal. The design maintains simplicity while achieving anti-theft functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from an external one-dimensional arrangement to an internal three-dimensional configuration. The locking member is positioned within the accommodating groove, utilizing the vertical and radial dimensions of the base interior to create a secure pressing action on the ball shaft that cannot be accessed or manipulated from the outside.
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 design effectively secures the ball shaft in place, providing an anti-theft effect by ensuring the clamping members and locking member are positioned inside the base, thus preventing unauthorized removal.
Implementation Method 1
The two clamping members take a position where the fulcrum portion contacts the inner wall as a fulcrum, so that the clamping portion moves toward the ball shaft and clamps the ball shaft
Implementation Method 2
The locking member enters the accommodating groove through the first opening and presses the ball shaft and the bearing portion
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses a universal joint assembly. The universal joint assembly, includes a base, two clamping members, a ball shaft, and a locking member. The base has an accommodating groove, a first opening and a second opening disposed opposite to the first opening. The clamping member is disposed inside the accommodating groove. Each of the two clamping members includes a bearing portion, a fulcrum portion, and a clamping portion. An adjustable space exists between an outer side of the bearing portion and an inner wall of the accommodating groove. The locking member presses the ball shaft and the bearing portion. The clamping member take a position where the fulcrum portion contacts the inner wall as a fulcrum, so that the clamping portion moves toward the ball shaft and clamps the ball shaft.