Curling Handle Assembly With Integral Cavities For Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional curling stone handles face issues with accommodating electronics and sensors without compromising the structural integrity, often leading to cracking or breaking due to the need for modifications that disrupt the internal tension of the molded plastic material and the risk of threading issues with the fasteners.
Innovation Solution
The curling handle assembly incorporates integral cavities within the handle, connector, and support bodies to house electronics and batteries, maintaining the internal tension of the plastic material and using an annular contact surface with stiffener ribs to distribute clamping force effectively, reducing the risk of cracking and breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drilling cavities into the molded plastic handle to place electronics, then electronics can be accommodated, but the internal tension within the plastic material is disrupted compromising the handle structure
Solution Approach 1:
The cavities for electronics are pre-formed as integral parts of the molded plastic handle during the manufacturing process, before the handle is assembled and put into service. This preliminary formation of cavities avoids any post-manufacturing modifications that would disrupt the internal tension and structural integrity of the plastic material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing parameters by forming cavities as integral features of the molded plastic handle itself, rather than creating them through drilling or other subtractive processes. This parameter change in the manufacturing approach allows electronics accommodation while preserving the handle's internal tension and strength.
2Reliability
If tightening the threaded connection to generate sufficient friction to fix handle orientation, then the fastener may strip the threading or cause cracking in the plastic material
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded connector is pre-formed as an integral part of the molded plastic handle during manufacturing, with the threading created as a feature of the plastic material itself rather than through separate drilling and threading operations. This preliminary formation ensures the threading is integrated into the handle's structural framework, allowing reliable friction-based orientation fixation without compromising material integrity.
3Volume of stationary object
If using a limited space between the stone and handle to place media with electronics and batteries, then the space is constrained, but the type of electronics permitted is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the handle structure with integrated cavities formed as integral features of the molded plastic handle. These cavities provide dedicated spaces for electronics and batteries within the handle itself, eliminating the need for separate media placement between the stone and handle. This merging of structural and functional elements expands the available volume for electronics while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A curling handle assembly mounts on a stone body to form a curling stone. The assembly has a connector inserted into the top side of the stone body. A support body extends outwardly from the connector to clamp against the stone body using a fastener threaded through the stone body to the connector. A connector body joins a handle body to be gripped by a user spaced above the support body. An electronic assembly arranged for measuring a performance characteristic is received within cavities integrally moulded into the handle body, the connector body or the support body. A lower contact surface of the support body includes an annular potion at a periphery of the handle assembly that forms first contact of the support body with the top side of the stone body as the support body is clamped against the top side of the stone body by the threaded fastener.