Camping Stool Pivot Hub Assembly for Automatic Leg Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Camping stools often rely on inefficient locking mechanisms for securing extendable legs, requiring manual operation or locking clamps, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a pivot hub and displacing module that allows for automatic locking and unlocking of extendable legs through a mechanism involving spring biasing members and alignment features, enabling easy transition between extended and retracted positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual locking mechanisms or locking clamps are used for securing extendable legs, then the legs can be locked in position, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage without manual intervention. The spring biasing member automatically pushes the locking device into the locked position when the leg is extended, and the displacing module automatically moves the locking device to the unlocked position when attached to the pivot hub, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining reliable locking
Solution Approach 2:
The spring biasing member is pre-loaded to automatically push the locking device into the locked position as the leg extends, before the user needs to use the stool. This preliminary action ensures the leg is locked without requiring the user to manually engage any locking mechanism
2Volume of moving object
If extendable legs are used to minimize storage space, then the stool size is reduced, but the locking and unlocking process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is integrated into the extendable leg structure itself, with the spring biasing member and displacing module forming part of the leg assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate locking clamps or manual locking mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the space-saving extendable leg functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The displacing module acts as an intermediary between the pivot hub and the locking device. When attached to the pivot hub, it automatically moves the locking device to the unlocked position, simplifying the interaction between the extendable leg and the pivot hub without requiring complex manual operation
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 solution provides a simpler and more efficient means of locking and unlocking extendable legs, allowing for easy deployment and storage of camping stools by automatically engaging and disengaging the locking mechanism, reducing the overall complexity and effort required.
Implementation Method 1
the legs comprising one or more locking devices movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the locking devices include spring biasing members
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a seat includes a pivot hub defining multiple rotation axes, and a displacing module attached to the pivot hub. Extendable legs are rotatably coupled to the pivot hub and comprise locking devices movable between an unlocked position, in which the legs, when extended, are enabled to retract, and a locked position, in which the legs, when extended, are prevented from retracting. The legs are rotatable between an intermediate position and a deployed position. When the legs are extended, and when in the intermediate position, the displacing module engages the locking devices to move the locking devices from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the legs are extended, rotating the legs from the intermediate position to the deployed position brings the displacing module out of contact with the locking devices.