Dovetail Plate Locking Mechanism With Adjustable Eccentric Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking devices for dovetail plates often fail to ensure secure locking due to mismatched dimensions and tilting issues, leading to unsafe and impractical insertion and locking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A locking device with a track and clamping mechanism that allows easy insertion of dovetail plates, featuring a base with an oblique side wall, a displaceable clamping block, and an adjustable clamping lever with an eccentric mechanism, enabling secure locking of dovetail plates of varying widths and accommodating different insertion orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional locking device with a fixed track width is used, then the structure is simple, but the dovetail plate cannot be easily inserted when dimensions or tilting do not exactly match

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertionVSAvoidtrack structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the track width adjustable through a movable clamping block that can be positioned at different locations along the track. This allows the locking device to adapt to different dovetail plate dimensions and tilting angles, resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and structural simplicity by introducing controlled variability to the track width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the track width parameter to be varied through the clamping block mechanism. The track width can be adjusted to match different dovetail plate dimensions, and the angle of the inclined side wall can be selected according to the specific dovetail plate being used, thereby facilitating easier insertion while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a fixed clamping force mechanism is used, then the locking device is simple, but it cannot ensure secure locking for dovetail plates of varying dimensions and orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoidclamping mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing an adjustable clamping force mechanism where the clamping block can be positioned at different locations along the track to accommodate dovetail plates of varying dimensions. The clamping force can be adjusted by changing the position of the clamping block, ensuring secure locking for different plate sizes and orientations while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the clamping force parameter to be varied through the adjustable clamping block mechanism. The distance between the locking side and clamping side of the clamping block varies, enabling adjustment of the clamping force to match different dovetail plate dimensions, thereby ensuring reliable locking without requiring a complex multi-component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the track width is fixed, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate dovetail plates of different widths and orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of various dovetail platesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing a track with an adjustable width through the movable clamping block. This allows the same locking device to accommodate dovetail plates of different widths and orientations by adjusting the clamping block position, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process compared to creating multiple fixed-width tracks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by making the track width a variable parameter rather than a fixed dimension. The track width can be adjusted to match different dovetail plate widths, and the angle of the inclined side wall can be selected according to the specific application, thereby achieving adaptability without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If a manual push button release mechanism is used, then the operation is simple, but the dovetail plate can accidentally slide out due to accidental pressing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease operation simplicityVSAvoidprevention of accidental release
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing a clamping mechanism where the clamping block exerts a continuous clamping force on the dovetail plate, preventing accidental release. The spring-loaded or gravity-assisted clamping mechanism automatically maintains the locked position, counteracting any forces that might cause accidental sliding out, while still allowing intentional release through the handle mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements inversion by reversing the conventional approach where the locked state is the default and the unlocked state requires active intervention. The clamping mechanism is designed to maintain continuous contact and clamping force on the dovetail plate, making accidental release difficult, while the release mechanism requires deliberate action to overcome the clamping force and unlock the plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution provides a secure and easy-to-use locking mechanism that accommodates various dovetail plate dimensions and orientations, preventing accidental release and ensuring stable attachment to the locking device.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping lever (14) rotatably arranged on the base (12), having a handle (141) and an eccentric part (142), wherein the eccentric part (142) engages the clamping side (132) to displace the clamping block (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4141313B1Locking device camera holder with locking device
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 ARNOLD & RICHTER CINE TECHNIK GMBH & CO BETRIEBS KG
  • EP4141313B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4141313B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP4141313B1 patent drawingFigure 2(C)~2(D)

AI summary

Locking device (100) for locking a dovetail plate (3) embedded in a track (11) of the locking device (100), comprising: - a base (12) bounding one side of the track (11); - a clamping block (13) arranged laterally displaceable on the base (12) with a locking side (131) facing the track (11) and a clamping side (132) opposite the locking side (131), wherein a distance between the locking side (131) and the clamping side (132) varies in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the track (11); - a clamping lever (14) rotatably arranged on the base (12) with a handle (141) and an eccentric part (142), wherein the eccentric part (142) engages the clamping side (132) for displacing the clamping block (13).