Bushing Assembly with Latch Elements for Stable Telescopic Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing length-adjustable supports, such as those used in furniture, often require complex mechanisms and are prone to unintentional length adjustment due to accidental release of locking mechanisms, leading to instability and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A bushing assembly with complementary latch elements and apertures secures the spindle rod, combined with a spindle plate that rotates with the rod, to prevent unintended movement and ensure stable length adjustment, integrated with a motorized system for precise height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms are used to secure the spindle rod, then the reliability of preventing unintentional length adjustment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two separate bushing components (first and second bushing components) that can be assembled independently around the spindle rod. Each bushing component has its own latch element and aperture, allowing modular assembly and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through redundant locking features.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch elements are pre-positioned on the bushing components before assembly. When the bushing components are assembled around the spindle rod, the latch elements automatically engage with corresponding apertures, providing preliminary locking action that prevents unintentional length adjustment without requiring additional complex locking operations.
2Reliability
If multiple bushing components with latch elements are assembled around the spindle rod, then the security against accidental release is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing components are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The latch elements automatically engage with the apertures when the bushing components are assembled around the spindle rod, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or complex alignment procedures. This self-service mechanism simplifies assembly while providing secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged into the bushing components themselves rather than being a separate mechanism. The latch elements and apertures are integrated directly into the bushing component structure, allowing the bushing components to serve both as structural elements and as locking mechanisms, thereby reducing overall assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A length-adjustable support having a telescopic column assembly that includes a rotatable spindle rod configured to telescope an interior tube into and out of an exterior tube, or vice versa, of the telescopic column assembly in order to adjust the length of the length-adjustable support. The column assembly is illustratively attached to a motor housing containing a motor that rotates the spindle rod. In illustrative embodiments, a portion of the spindle rod is attached to the motor housing via a bushing member comprising two complimentary bushing components that surround the spindle rod and support a spindle plate that mates with the spindle rod to rotate therewith. The motor assembly is configured to substantially float within the motor housing and is attached to a flange of the housing by a clip or grommet that retains an attachment arm of the motor assembly.