Ham Stand with Spherical Joint for Multi-Axis Cutting Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ham stands lack the necessary degrees of freedom to easily and practically achieve the appropriate posture for convenient and safe cutting, often requiring users to rotate the stand or themselves to find the correct cutting angle.
Innovation Solution
A ham stand with a spherical joint connection between the support and base structures, allowing for multiple degrees of freedom through combined pivoting and rotational movements, enabling rotation around any axis parallel to the base and between 0 to 360°, with a brake mechanism to secure the desired position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed axis rotation mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the degrees of freedom are limited requiring users to rotate the entire stand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a spherical joint connection between the support structure and base structure, replacing fixed axis rotation with a ball-and-socket type mechanism. This spherical connection allows rotation around multiple axes simultaneously, providing numerous degrees of freedom while maintaining structural simplicity. The spherical geometry enables the support structure to pivot and rotate in any direction, eliminating the need for users to rotate the entire stand.
2Ease of operation
If multiple degrees of freedom are provided, then positioning flexibility improves, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical joint provides inherent positioning flexibility through its geometry, allowing natural rotation and pivoting movements without requiring complex control mechanisms. The ball-and-socket design enables intuitive manual adjustment to any desired angle while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical joint mechanism is designed to be manually adjustable without requiring motors, sensors, or complex control systems. The user can directly position the support structure at any angle by hand, and the spherical connection maintains the position through its mechanical geometry, providing self-servicing capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rotation around vertical axis is added, then cutting angles improve, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical joint inherently provides rotation around vertical axis in addition to pivoting movements. The ball-and-socket geometry naturally accommodates rotation in all directions including vertical axis rotation, enabling the ham to be positioned at any cutting angle without adding separate rotation mechanisms.
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
This design allows for easy positioning and secure locking of the ham at any desired angle, enhancing convenience and safety during cutting by providing multiple mobility options for optimal cutting posture.
Implementation Method 1
said connection element being formed by a spherical joint on at least the side area thereof connected to one of said structures, and a housing piece of said joint being at least partially complementary to the geometry thereof and attached to the other structure
Implementation Method 2
The housing piece comprises a brake mechanism of the joint
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a ham stand (1) that comprises a support structure (2) for a ham (3) and a base structure (4) for the assembly, and a connection element (5) of the support structure (2) with the base structure (4). The connection element (5) comprises a spherical joint (6) and a housing piece (7) of said joint (6) attached to the other structure such that it presents multiple degrees of freedom due to the combination of pivoting and rotational movements of the support structure (2) with respect to the base structure (4). Thanks to the pivoting movement, the user can rotate the ham to position it as desired in order to cut it conveniently and safely.