Joint and laundry stand with such a joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes airers with simple swivel joints lack secure locking mechanisms, leading to unstable positioning and safety hazards when folded, as the legs can unintentionally change position, potentially causing the airer to tip over or fingers to get caught.
Innovation Solution
A joint system with pivotable sections that can be locked in a starting position using a slide mechanism, which can be released via an actuating device, ensuring secure locking and controlled pivoting without additional actuation force, preventing unintentional movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If simple pivot joints with stops are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the legs can unintentionally change position and the airer may tip over
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into multiple functional components: a first element with a pivot joint, a second element that can pivot relative to the first, a slider mechanism for locking, and an actuating device for release. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, achieving reliable position locking while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider is pre-positioned to automatically lock the second element to the first element when the pivot angle reaches a predetermined value. This preliminary locking action occurs without requiring additional actuation, preventing unintentional position changes while the airer is in use.
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to prevent unintentional movement, then position stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slider mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the joint at predetermined pivot angles without requiring user intervention. The actuating device simply needs to be actuated once to release the lock, after which the slider automatically re-engages when the pivot angle reaches the predetermined value, minimizing the complexity of user interaction while ensuring position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function, the pivot movement guidance, and the position indication are merged into a single integrated joint mechanism. The slider serves both as a locking element and as a guide for the pivot movement, while the actuating device combines unlocking and locking functions, reducing the number of separate components needed.
3Volume of moving object
If the legs can be folded back for space-saving storage, then the storage efficiency is improved, but the risk of fingers being pinched increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage before the legs complete their folding movement. The slider locks the joint at a predetermined pivot angle that prevents the legs from reaching a position where fingers could be pinched, while still allowing sufficient folding for space-saving storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating device is positioned and designed to prevent the locking mechanism from engaging in a position that would create a pinching hazard. The predetermined pivot angle is set to maintain a safe distance between the hanging device and the legs, preemptively preventing the harmful pinching effect.
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 joint system securely locks the sections in predetermined positions, preventing unintended pivoting and enhancing safety and ease of handling, allowing for stable and controlled folding and unfolding of the clothes airer.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element which biases the slider toward the receptacle
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a joint (100) with at least a first joint section (1) and a second joint section (2), wherein the first joint section (1) and the second joint section (2) are pivotably mounted relative to each other about a pivot axis (X), and wherein in a starting position the first joint section (1) can be locked relative to the second joint section (2) via at least a first slide (11), and wherein the at least one first slide (11) can be moved into a release position via an actuating device (4) so that the first joint section (1) and the second joint section (2) can be pivoted relative to each other about the pivot axis (X).