Dumbbell Base Support Spring Catch Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adjustable dumbbells lack a stable anchoring mechanism for weight members, leading to a high likelihood of disengagement and separation from the base support during use.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a base support with socket openings, followers, and a spring biasing mechanism, featuring catches and an actuator button to securely anchor and release the weight members, preventing accidental disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple base support is used to support weight plates, then the device complexity is reduced, but the weight plates can be easily disengaged or separated from the base support
Solution Approach 1:
The base support is divided into multiple functional components: socket openings for weight member insertion, followers with catches for securing, spring biasing members for automatic engagement, and actuator buttons for controlled release. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing reliable retention without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The follower acts as an intermediary mechanism between the weight member and the base support. It includes a catch that engages with the weight member and is biased by a spring, providing a reliable connection that is automatically maintained during normal use but can be intentionally released through the actuator button.
2Reliability
If a latch device is added to secure weight plates, then the weight plate retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring biasing member automatically engages the follower with the weight member without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the spring force to maintain engagement and the actuator button to intentionally release it, eliminating the need for complex manual latching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The follower can move along the socket opening under spring bias, allowing automatic engagement when the weight member is inserted and controlled release when the actuator button is pressed. This dynamic behavior provides reliable retention while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
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 ensures that weight members are stably anchored to the base support, preventing unintentional disengagement and enhancing user safety and convenience during exercise.
Implementation Method 1
The base support includes a spring biasing member engaged with the follower for biasing and forcing the catches of the follower to engage with the weight members
Implementation Method 2
an actuator button slidably engaged in the base support and partially extended out through the base support for selectively moving the follower to compress the spring biasing member and for selectively disengaging or separating or moving the catches of the follower from the weight members
Data Source
AI summary
A dumbbell assembly includes a number of weight members, a handle device engageable with the weight members for anchoring a selected number of the weight members to the handle device, a base support includes a number of socket openings for accommodating the weight members, and a follower is slidably engaged in the base support, and the follower includes one or more catches for selectively engaging with the weight members that are supported on the base support and for selectively retaining the weight members to the base support. A spring biasing member is engaged with the follower for biasing the catches of the follower to engage with the weight members.