Christmas tree stand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Christmas tree stands have cumbersome and expensive mechanisms for securing the tree trunk, often requiring complex mechanical or electric systems that are prone to failure and necessitate the tree to be aligned vertically before fastening.
Innovation Solution
The Christmas tree stand features individually actuable holding elements with separate electromotive drive units, allowing for precise alignment and adjustment of the tree trunk using remote control operation, with holding elements designed as horizontally displaceable rams or pivoted levers, and optionally supported by spring arms for easy insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a common mechanical ratchet or electric motor is used to tension steel cables for all holding elements, then the structure can secure the tree trunk, but the handling becomes cumbersome and time-consuming, and the mechanism is complicated and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common fastening mechanism into multiple independent electromechanical drive units, with each holding element having its own separate drive. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex common mechanisms like ratchets or central motors, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability through independence of each drive unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Each holding element with its own electromechanical drive unit can operate independently to adjust and secure the tree trunk. The system serves itself by allowing individual adjustment of each holding element without requiring manual intervention or coordination through a common mechanism, simplifying operation and reducing mechanical complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the tree must be aligned vertically before fastening with common mechanisms, then the fastening can be achieved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and less convenient
Solution Approach 1:
The holding elements are designed as radially movable components that can dynamically adjust their position. They can be moved radially inwards to clamp the trunk and radially outwards to release it, allowing alignment adjustments to be made after the tree is inserted without requiring precise pre-alignment, thereby saving time and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering point at the bottom of the receiving container performs preliminary alignment by guiding the tree trunk into the correct position automatically upon insertion. This preliminary centering action eliminates the need for manual pre-alignment before fastening, allowing the electromechanical drives to simply secure the already-centered trunk, reducing overall operation time.
3Ease of operation
If individually actuated electromechanical drive units are used for each holding element, then precise alignment and adjustment are enabled with remote control operation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with individual electromechanical drive units for each holding element. These electrically actuated drives can be controlled independently via remote control, providing precise alignment capability. While this increases the number of drive units, it eliminates the need for complex mechanical transmission systems, resulting in a simpler overall mechanism that is more reliable and easier to control precisely.
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
This design provides a simple, reliable, and convenient mechanism for securing the tree trunk, enabling easy vertical alignment and adjustment without manual intervention, with secure fastening and easy operation via remote control.
Implementation Method 1
each holding element (9) has a separate electromechanical drive unit (13)
Implementation Method 2
The threaded spindle (12) is then driven by the electric motor drive unit (13). This allows for optimal tree alignment by operating the various drive units
Implementation Method 3
These are then operated in the same way as in the one shown. Figs. 1 to 3 illustrated embodiment. The Christmas tree stand according to the invention not only has a simple and reliable design, but is also particularly easy to operate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a Christmas tree stand (1) for setting up a cut natural tree on a horizontal plane, with a receptacle (2) that can be filled with water and has an insertion opening (5) for the trunk end to be fastened, and a plurality of holding elements (9) that arranged around the insertion opening (5), movably mounted on the receiving vessel (2), movable radially from the outside against the trunk of the tree and can be applied to the trunk with the application of pressure. Such a Christmas tree stand is intended to ensure a reliable hold of the trunk end of the tree in the receptacle (2) with a relatively simple operating mechanism, while at the same time allowing a convenient vertical alignment of the trunk of the Christmas tree. This is achieved in that the holding elements (9) can be actuated individually and directly electrically.