Cam Locking Mechanism for Garden Tool Pole Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for garden tools, particularly telescopic poles, often require significant force to tighten and loosen bolts, leading to potential loosening over time and user discomfort, compromising safety and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A locking device featuring a cam locking unit with a rotatable operating member that applies a locking force to a pole connector, allowing for secure clamping without the need for excessive force, utilizing a pair of cams with specific surfaces and a pivotable arm for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If knobs and bolts are used as locking devices, then the pole connector can be securely locked to the pole, but significant force is required to tighten and loosen the bolts, affecting user experience and potentially causing the bolts to become loose over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional bolt-nut threading mechanism with a cam-based locking mechanism. The cam converts rotational motion into linear clamping motion, eliminating the need for threading and multiple rotations. This substitution provides reliable locking through the cam's geometric shape while requiring minimal operational force and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam locking mechanism utilizes dynamic movement where the cam rotates and converts this rotational motion into linear clamping force on the pole connector. The dynamic conversion of motion types allows for quick locking and unlocking actions while maintaining secure clamping during operation.
2Reliability
If traditional bolt locking mechanisms are used, then the pole connector can be locked to the pole, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires multiple components, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the single cam component. The cam simultaneously provides the locking action, the clamping force application, and the motion conversion mechanism. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate bolts, nuts, and threading structures, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the traditional locking mechanism. By removing bolts, nuts, and threading elements, the design achieves reliable locking with a simplified structure consisting primarily of the cam and its mounting features.
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 locking device provides reliable and easy operation by securely locking the pole connector without requiring significant user force, maintaining stability and safety throughout extended use.
Implementation Method 1
The locking component comprises a cam locking unit, the rotation axis of which is transverse to its longitudinal axis, and the direction of its locking force is parallel to or coincident with the rotation axis
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a locking device and a garden tool using a locking device. The locking device comprises: a pole connector (100) configured to be mounted on a pole (20) extending along the longitudinal axis (L); an operating member (200) rotatable around the rotation axis (A1) between a locked position and an unlocked position; a locking component (300) that, when the operating member is in the locked position, applies a locking force to the pole connector so that the pole connector clamps the pole. The locking component (300) comprises a cam locking unit (301), wherein the rotation axis (A1) is transverse to the longitudinal axis (L), and the direction of locking force is parallel to or coincident with the rotation axis (A1).