Foldable Locking Assembly to Prevent Accidental Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable structures can accidentally fold during normal operation due to their design, leading to potential injuries from unintended unlocking and loss of functionality.
Innovation Solution
A foldable structure with a locking assembly comprising a locking buckle and an unlocking part, connected to a position limiting boss, which prevents accidental unlocking by allowing the structure to be switched to a pre-locked state, ensuring stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a foldable structure is designed to be foldable, then it occupies smaller space when stored and is portable, but it may be accidentally folded while performing its normal functions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is automatically activated when the foldable structure reaches a predetermined folding position, without requiring manual intervention. The position limiting boss and locking buckle work together to automatically lock the structure in place, preventing accidental folding during normal use while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The position limiting boss physically blocks the locking buckle from disengaging at certain positions, creating a preliminary counter-action that prevents unintended unlocking. This mechanical interference ensures the structure remains locked during normal operation while still allowing intentional folding when needed.
2Reliability
If a locking assembly is added to prevent accidental folding, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly integrates multiple functions into a compact mechanism: the locking buckle both locks and unlocks the structure, while the position limiting boss simultaneously defines folding positions and prevents accidental unlocking. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly operates automatically through the interaction between the locking buckle and position limiting boss, without requiring external control systems or complex actuation mechanisms. The structure itself provides the locking and unlocking actions through its geometric design, reducing overall system complexity.
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 enhances the safety and stability of foldable structures by preventing accidental folding and reducing the risk of injury from unintended unlocking, while allowing for easy transition between locked and unlocked states.
Implementation Method 1
a locking assembly having a locking buckle and an unlocking part connected with the locking buckle, the locking buckle and the unlocking part being rotatably connected with the first folding seat, respectively. The locking buckle is configured to move along with the first folding seat to be engaged with the second folding seat
Implementation Method 2
The position limiting boss is configured to prevent the unlocking part from rotating around the first folding seat to unlock the locking buckle in the pre-locked state
Implementation Method 3
a second folding seat rotatably connected with the first folding seat and having a position limiting boss... when the foldable structure is in an unlocked state and the first folding seat rotates around the second folding seat in a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable structure includes: a first folding seat; a second folding seat rotatably connected with the first folding seat and including a position limiting boss; and a locking assembly including a locking buckle and an unlocking part connected with each other, which are rotatably connected with the first folding seat, respectively. When the foldable structure is in an unlocked state, and the first folding seat rotates around the second folding seat in a first direction, the locking buckle moves along with the first folding seat to be engaged with the second folding seat and the unlocking part moves to abut against the position limiting boss, so that the foldable structure is switched to a pre-locked state where the position limiting boss prevents the unlocking part from rotating around the first folding seat to unlock the locking buckle.