Centralized Locking Mechanism for Tent Frame Poles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tent frames have cumbersome locking and unlocking mechanisms installed at each supporting pole, making folding and unfolding inconvenient and increasing the cost of the tent frame.
Innovation Solution
A centralized locking mechanism is introduced, where a slider and fastening assembly are coupled with a central pole, allowing the tent frame to be easily unfolded and folded by restricting or releasing the slider's movement along the central pole, eliminating the need for multiple individual locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking mechanisms are installed at each supporting pole, then the tent frame can be securely locked in position, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual locking mechanisms distributed at each supporting pole are merged into a single centralized locking mechanism located at the top of the central pole. This consolidation maintains the locking function while significantly reducing the number of separate mechanisms needed, thereby lowering device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized locking mechanism serves as a universal control point for the entire tent frame structure. A single locking action at the central pole simultaneously secures all supporting poles and connectors, making the mechanism multi-functional and eliminating the need for multiple dedicated locking points throughout the structure.
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are installed at each supporting pole, then the tent frame can be securely locked, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome folding and unfolding
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate locking operations at different supporting poles are merged into a single centralized locking operation. The user only needs to lock or unlock the central pole mechanism to secure or release the entire tent frame, dramatically simplifying the operation and eliminating the need to manually adjust each individual pole.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is segmented and centralized at a single accessible location (the top of the central pole) rather than distributed across multiple hard-to-reach supporting poles. This segmentation allows the user to perform all locking operations from one convenient location, improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If locking mechanisms are installed at each supporting pole, then the tent frame can be securely locked, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual locking mechanisms that would each require separate manufacturing, assembly, and installation are merged into a single centralized mechanism. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts needed, simplifies the manufacturing process, lowers material costs, and reduces assembly time, thereby significantly decreasing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining locking reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are tent frames, and centralized locking and unlocking mechanisms for tent frames. A centralized locking mechanism includes a slider coupled with the first connector movably disposed on a central pole, and a fastening assembly coupled with the slider. The fastening assembly includes a fastener configured to selectively couple the second hole of the slider with the first restricting hole of the central pole and thus restrict the slider from moving along the central pole, and decouple the second hole of the slider from the first restricting hole of the central pole and thus allow the slider to move along the central pole. An unlocking mechanism is disposed at the lower end of the central pole for selectively unlocking the centralized locking mechanism.