Eccentric Cargo Support Locking Mechanism with Return Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cargo support locking mechanisms lack an idle position, posing safety risks and requiring excessive manual effort for adjustment and securing, as they either fall or require manual clamping, leading to potential injury and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A cargo support with a resiliently actuatable handle and eccentric locking mechanism, utilizing a spring to maintain the handle in a raised position and ensure the telescopic upright remains locked against the ceiling, reducing manual effort and preventing the support from falling, through a combination of over-center locking and return spring functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional locking mechanism is used without resilient actuation, then the structure is simpler, but the handle cannot be held in an idle position and may fall down causing injury

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism automatically returns the handle to the idle position after actuation, eliminating the need for manual intervention to reset the handle and preventing it from falling down causing injury

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The spring is pre-loaded to store energy that automatically actuates the handle back to the idle position, preparing the system in advance to prevent the harmful effect of handle collapse

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If manual clamping is required to keep the support upright, then the support can remain stable, but the number of working moments increases and manual effort is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidmanual effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The eccentric locking mechanism automatically maintains the support in an upright position through its geometric locking action, eliminating the need for continuous manual clamping or intervention to maintain stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The eccentric mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the support in the upright position before use, preparing the system in advance so no manual clamping is needed during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the handle is freely movable without resilient actuation, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the risk of injury to persons handling the support increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring automatically returns the handle to the safe idle position after use, preventing it from remaining in a dangerous turned-up position where it could fall and injure persons handling the support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient actuation applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the handle from falling into a harmful position, automatically counteracting the gravitational tendency of the handle to collapse

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Device complexity

If the support lacks an idle position capability, then the locking mechanism is simpler, but the support falls over and no initial support is obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism complexityVSAvoidsupport upright position
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The eccentric locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the support in the upright position before use, preparing the system in advance so the support stands stable without requiring additional complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables the cargo support to stand securely without manual clamping, reducing the number of working moments by 50% and minimizing manual power required, while ensuring the support remains upright and ready for use with reduced risk of injury.

Implementation Method 1

A spring 8 is in that connection arranged to be received internally hidden by said handle 6... This spring 8 is preferably formed of a screw spring... the handle 6 is resiliently actuatable to always be brought toward the locking position I thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

which via a link connection 7 is coupled together to said movable telescope part 5 by eccentric locking, so-called over-centre locking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Excentric

Data Source

PatentEP3558748B1Cargo support comprising a locking mechanism of eccenter type
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 ERGO LOAD AB
  • EP3558748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3558748B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3558748B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns a cargo support (4) having return spring- loaded locking mechanism (1) having eccentric locking which provides quick and easy cargo securing and reduces the number of working moments and burdening working moments. The moments of securing cargo becomes easier since the dead load of the support is lower and the clamping torque is only 100 N and that the number of clampings is reduced by at least half since it is not needed to carry out a clamping moment when it is not used. Thanks to the eccentric locking having a return spring, a smaller pressure is provided, which makes that the support is standing by itself without falling. When the support then should be used, it is moved toward the cargo and then the locking moments are carried out.