Clamping dish assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dish securing systems, such as suction-base bowls and adhesive mats, fail to securely attach to varied surfaces and often require complex or cumbersome mechanisms, while edge-gripping devices may mar surfaces or be difficult to attach and release.
Innovation Solution
A dish assembly with a clamp that includes a circular indent for releasable locking, using protrusions and a bias element to resist reverse rotation, and a brace assembly for secure attachment to various support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction-base bowls or adhesive mats are used to reduce spills, then holding force is improved, but they lose holding force on textured, porous, or contaminated surfaces and require replacement or leave residue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces suction-based and adhesive-based mechanical systems with a clamp-based mechanical locking system. The clamp uses protrusions that engage with recesses in the support surface, creating a positive mechanical lock that does not rely on surface adhesion or suction, thereby working reliably on textured, porous, or contaminated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is divided into distinct functional components: a clamping portion with protrusions for engagement, a bias element for applying force, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while adapting to various support surfaces through the engagement geometry of the protrusions and recesses.
2Strength
If edge-gripping devices are used to secure dishes, then attachment strength is improved, but they require narrow thickness range or rigid overhang and can mar the support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp introduces a protective intermediary layer between the dish assembly and the support surface. The protrusions engage with recesses rather than gripping the outer edge of the support surface, preventing direct contact that could cause marring. The clamp body itself acts as the intermediary that distributes contact forces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of gripping the outer edge of the support surface as traditional edge-gripping devices do, the clamp inverts the approach by engaging with recesses or features on the support surface. This reverse engagement method provides secure attachment without requiring rigid overhangs or narrow thickness ranges.
3Device complexity
If friction fits, magnets, or simple snaps are used to connect dish and clamp, then device complexity is reduced, but they release under torsional or prying loads
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism uses asymmetric protrusions and corresponding recesses that are designed to engage in one direction but resist disengagement in the opposite direction. The geometry of the protrusions creates a mechanical lock that requires significant force to overcome, providing reliable connection under torsional and prying loads while maintaining relatively simple construction.
4Ease of operation
If a release mechanism is designed to be easily operable by adults, then ease of operation is improved, but it may be easily removed or tampered with by children
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism uses a dynamic two-stage operation: first pressing the button to release the bias element's locking action, then rotating the dish to fully disengage the protrusions. This dynamic sequence requires coordinated actions that are intuitive for adults but exceed the capabilities of casual child attempts, providing child resistance while maintaining ease of operation for intended users.
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
Provides a compact, secure, and intuitive attachment system that resists child tampering while allowing easy adult release, suitable for diverse surfaces and environments.
Implementation Method 1
a bias element urging the dish away from the support surface to resist reverse rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A dish assembly is provided for removably securing to a support structure. A clamp includes a support-surface-engaging portion defining a circular indent with wall protrusions and a brace assembly that, when actuated, urges the support-surface-engaging portion against the support surface. A cooperating dish has a bottom circular locking portion with channels having axial entries and circumferential segments. Pressing the dish into the indent causes the protrusions to enter the axial entries; subsequent rotation causes the protrusions to follow the circumferential segments to lock the dish. A bias element within the indent urges the dish away from the support surface to resist reverse rotation. The brace assembly may include a lateral member, a screw-driven pivot pin, and a movable brace with a contact structure such as a pivoting pressure plate or a curved portion for engaging a bar. Release requires depressing the dish and counter-rotating.