Foldable Light Reflective Device Integrated Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing softbox locking mechanisms for photoflood lamps are complex, making assembly difficult and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A simplified locking mechanism for a foldable light reflective device, featuring a chuck with radially distributed support rods and a swinging member with a co-operation part that locks and releases the rods, along with a retaining member to maintain the unfolded state, reducing assembly complexity and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with spring chamber, sliding key, locking buckle and toggle button is used, then the support rod can be locked to maintain the unfolded state, but the number of components increases making assembly difficult and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking components (locking block, locking groove, elastic element) into a single integrated locking mechanism where the elastic element is disposed within the locking block itself. This merging reduces the number of separate components from the original spring chamber, sliding key, locking buckle and toggle button to just the locking block with integrated elastic element, making assembly easier while maintaining reliable locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the elastic element from a separate spring chamber and integrates it directly into the locking block structure. This extraction and integration eliminates the need for separate spring chambers and sliding keys, simplifying the overall locking mechanism while preserving the essential locking and releasing functionality through the interaction between the locking block and locking groove.
2Ease of operation
If multiple components need to cooperate in the locking mechanism, then the locking function can be achieved, but the difficulty of assembly increases and service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the elastic element and locking block into a single integrated component where the elastic element is disposed within the locking block. This reduces the number of parts that need to be assembled and coordinated, making manufacturing and assembly easier while maintaining the automatic locking and releasing operation through the simplified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-operating through the interaction between the elastic element, locking block, and locking groove. The elastic element automatically engages the locking block with the locking groove to maintain the unfolded state, and releases when the support rod is folded, eliminating the need for complex manual operation or coordination of multiple separate components.
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 simplified locking mechanism reduces assembly difficulties and prolongs the service life of the light reflective device by streamlining the component interactions and operation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element extending along a radial direction of the support rod and disposed within the locking block
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of support rods having one end being hinged with the chuck
Implementation Method 3
having an unfolded state to support the reflective cloth to form a cover structure and a folded state
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable light reflective device (100) for photoflood lamp includes a chuck (10) and a plurality of support rods (20) for mounting a reflective cloth (40). The support rods (20) are arranged along a circumference of the chuck (10) and hinged to the chuck (10), and each support rod (20) has relative unfolded and folded states. A locking mechanism (30) for holding the support rod (20) in the unfolded state is provided between each support rod (20) and the chuck (10). Each locking mechanism (30) includes a swinging member (31) with a middle portion hinged to the chuck (10) and being divided, at a hinge point, into an operation part (311) and a co-operation part (312), the co-operation part (312) of the swinging member (31) having two states of locking and releasing the support rod (20); and a retaining member for restraining the swinging member (31) in the locking state.