Central Lock for Folding Tent with Elastic Rods

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional central locks for folding tents have complex structures, making unfolding, folding, and storage procedures tedious and cumbersome, hindering the rapid development of the tent industry.

Innovation Solution

A central lock design featuring a central lock rod with an upper lock plate and a lower lock plate assembly, incorporating an elastic locking member and an unlocking mechanism with guiding columns and an inclined conical surface block, allowing for easy locking and unlocking by clamping and releasing the locking rods from a locking groove.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional central lock structure is used, then the locking function is reliable, but the structure becomes complicated and operations become cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking function reliabilityVSAvoidcentral lock structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The central lock is divided into separate functional modules: the elastic locking member (with arc-shaped portion and locking rods) handles the locking function, while the unlocking mechanism (with unlocking block and column) handles the release function. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and reliable, avoiding the need for a complex integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic locking member automatically engages with the locking groove through its own elasticity, without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The unlocking mechanism simply needs to push the elastic locking member to release the lock, making the system self-servicing and operationally simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a traditional central lock structure is used, then the locking function is reliable, but the unfolding and folding procedures become tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking function reliabilityVSAvoidunfolding and folding time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic locking member automatically engages with the locking groove through its own elasticity, without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The unlocking mechanism simply needs to push the elastic locking member to release the lock, making the system self-servicing and operationally simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex mechanism to actively engage the lock, the design uses the elastic locking member's natural elasticity to automatically engage with the locking groove. The unlocking mechanism only needs to apply a simple pushing force to reverse the elastic deformation and release the lock, inverting the traditional approach where active engagement required complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a traditional central lock structure is used, then the locking function is reliable, but the operations become cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking function reliabilityVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic locking member automatically engages with the locking groove through its own elasticity, without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The unlocking mechanism simply needs to push the elastic locking member to release the lock, making the system self-servicing and operationally simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If a simplified central lock structure is used, then the operation becomes easier, but the locking mechanism may become less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidlocking function reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic locking member is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Its simplicity reduces manufacturing costs and complexity, while its elastic nature ensures reliable locking through repeated use until wear or fatigue occurs, at which point it can be quickly replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex mechanism to actively engage the lock, the design uses the elastic locking member's natural elasticity to automatically engage with the locking groove. The unlocking mechanism only needs to apply a simple pushing force to reverse the elastic deformation and release the lock, inverting the traditional approach where active engagement required complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 simplifies the operation, reduces complexity, and facilitates quick folding and unfolding, making the central lock easy to use and cost-effective to produce and install, thereby enhancing user convenience and promoting the tent industry's growth.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic locking member and an unlocking mechanism used to control the elastic locking member to be locked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a compression spring sleeved on the unlocking column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring elasticity: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10941585B2Central lock for folding tent

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 ZHEJIANG JIANSHENG LEISURE PRODUCTS CO LTD

AI summary

A central lock for a folding tent includes a central lock rod, an upper lock plate fixedly disposed at one end of the central lock rod, and a lower lock plate assembly detachably connected to the other end of the central lock rod. An elastic locking member and an unlocking mechanism used to control the elastic locking member to be locked are disposed in the lower lock plate assembly. The elastic locking member includes an arc-shaped portion provided integrally and two horizontal locking rods extending inwards from a gap of the arc-shaped portion. A lower end portion of the central lock rod is provided with a locking groove used in cooperation with the locking rod and a clamping and locking portion located at a lower end of the locking groove.