Bendable Joint Lock Mechanism for Stable Multi-Angle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaners with bendable joints or extension tubes have complex and non-user-friendly locking mechanisms, and the joints lack sufficient strength, leading to instability in maintaining a horizontal straight state or predetermined bending angle, resulting in poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A bendable joint with a lock mechanism that includes a latch, an unlocking button, and a transmission member, allowing for accurate locking and adjustment of the relative positions of the articulation pipes, ensuring stability at various angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a lock mechanism is added to the bendable joint to improve stability, then the joint can be maintained in a predetermined state, but the operation becomes complex and less user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is divided into independent functional components: a button for user input, a transmission member for motion conversion, and a latch for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall operation simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission member converts the rotational motion of the button into linear motion of the latch, enabling dynamic adjustment between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic mechanism allows easy switching between fixed and adjustable positions.
2Ease of operation
If a simple lock mechanism is used to improve ease of operation, then the operation becomes user-friendly, but the joint lacks sufficient strength and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The latch is pre-configured with limiting recesses at specific positions on the articulation pipe. When the button is released, the latch automatically engages with the nearest limiting recess, preliminarily establishing the locked position before any external force is applied, ensuring immediate stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is designed to be self-latching through the interaction between the latch and limiting recesses. Once the button is pressed and released, the system automatically maintains the locked position without requiring continuous user input or additional components, providing both simplicity and strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple locking positions are provided to improve adaptability, then the joint can maintain various bending angles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single latch component serves multiple functions by engaging with different limiting recesses positioned at various angles on the articulation pipe. This universal design allows one component to provide multiple locking positions, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting recesses are distributed along the circumferential dimension of the articulation pipe, creating multiple locking positions in the angular dimension. This dimensional arrangement allows the latch to access different positions by rotating the button, providing versatile adjustment capability through a simple rotational motion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bendable joint includes a first articulation pipe, a second articulation pipe, and a lock. The first articulation pipe has a first articulation portion at one end. The second articulation pipe has a second articulation portion at one end. The first articulation portion is articulated with the second articulation portion so that the first articulation pipe is rotatable relative to the second articulation pipe. The lock is on the first articulation pipe and is configured to lock and adjust relative positions of the first articulation pipe and the second articulation pipe.