Drawing Compass With Ball Joint Gripping Cap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drawing compasses are difficult for children to use due to misalignment issues when drawing circles and arcs, and existing ergonomic improvements do not adequately address precision and ease of use for both complete circles and geometric measurements.

Innovation Solution

A drawing compass with a hinged design featuring a connection head and a gripping cap that can adopt a locked or ball joint position, allowing for 360° rotation and pivoting, enabling simpler movements and preventing misalignment, while also allowing for precise drawing of arcs and circles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the gripping cap is fixed in locked position, then measurement precision and geometric realization are improved, but ease of operation for drawing complete circles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of measurement transferVSAvoidease of drawing complete circles
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping cap is designed to be dynamically changeable between two fixed states: locked position for precision work and ball joint position for free rotation. This dynamic adaptability allows the compass to switch between precision measurement mode and easy circle-drawing mode, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the gripping cap is in ball joint position, then ease of operation for drawing complete circles is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to play

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of drawing complete circlesVSAvoidprecision of arc length control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping cap transitions from a fixed locked state to a movable ball joint state, enabling free 360° rotation for drawing complete circles without finger repositioning. This dynamic state change allows the compass to prioritize ease of operation when needed while maintaining precision capability when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If conventional fixed gripping cap is used, then structural simplicity is improved, but adaptability for different drawing modes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of gripping mechanismVSAvoidadaptability for different drawing modes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping mechanism is segmented into two distinct functional states: locked position for precision work and ball joint position for free rotation. This segmentation allows each state to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall structural simplicity through the use of basic mechanical elements like a locking ring and threaded portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping cap is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a precision measurement interface when locked and as a free-rotation interface when in ball joint position. This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple drawing needs, enhancing adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 compass facilitates easy and precise drawing of circles and arcs, allowing children to learn complete circles without finger movement, while also enabling conventional use for precise measurements and geometric realizations as the user masters the gesture.

Implementation Method 1

a gripping cap having a cavity cooperating with the connection head, the gripping cap being able to adopt: a locked position in which the gripping cap is fixed relative to the connection head, and a position in ball joint in which the gripping cap is movable in ball joint relative to the connection head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall joint: Ball

Implementation Method 2

the connection head has a threaded portion, the compass further comprising a locking ring in helical connection with the threaded portion, the locking ring being able to take: a high position on the threaded portion in which the locking ring cooperates with a base of the gripping cap to immobilize the gripping cap relative to the connection head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded connection: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3517312B1Drawing compass
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 MFG DARTICLES DE PRECISION & DE DESSIN M A P E D
  • EP3517312B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3517312B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3517312B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

The utility model relates to a pair of drawing compasses (1). The device comprises two branches (2, 3) which are hinged with each other, characterized in that it is characterized in that it comprises,the compasses (1) further comprise a connector (8) and a gripping cap (9). Wherein the gripping cap (9) has a cavity (10) cooperating with the connector (8), the gripping cap (9) can assume a lockingposition, in which the gripping cap (9) is fixed relative to the connector (8), and a ball-and-socket connection position, in which the gripping cap (9) can be moved relative to the connector (8) ina ball-and-socket connection manner.