Measuring Wheel Self-Positioning Pivot for Safe Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring wheels with foldable designs pose safety hazards as users can trap their hands between the holder and the upper post during folding, compromising safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A measuring wheel with a pivot mechanism that allows self-positioning without a holder, featuring engaging portions on the upper and lower connecting bases to securely fold and unfold the posts, ensuring safe operation by preventing inadvertent pivoting and reducing the risk of hand injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a C-shaped holder is used to engage the upper post during folding, then the upper post can be prevented from inadvertently swinging, but users may trap and hurt their hands between the holder and the upper post
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the C-shaped holder from the design entirely. Instead of using a separate holder component to engage the upper post, the invention integrates the positioning function directly into the pivot mechanism through the engagement groove and engagement protrusion structure, eliminating the source of hand injury risk while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an engagement groove and engagement protrusion as intermediary structures within the pivot mechanism. These features mediate the folding action by providing a controlled engagement path that prevents inadvertent swinging without requiring a separate holder that could trap hands
2Volume of moving object
If the upper post and lower post are folded for storage, then the space occupied by the measuring wheel is reduced, but the pivot mechanism requires a holder to prevent inadvertent swinging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the holder function into the pivot mechanism itself. The engagement groove in the lower connecting base and the engagement protrusion on the upper connecting base are integrated components that perform both the pivoting and the positioning functions, eliminating the need for a separate holder and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it enables folding/unfolding motion and simultaneously provides positioning through the engagement groove and protrusion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate holder components, reducing device complexity while maintaining storage compactness
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring wheel capable of folding self-positioning has a shaft component, a handle assembly, a wheel assembly, and a pivot mechanism. The shaft component has an upper post and a lower post. The handle assembly and the wheel assembly are respectively disposed on a top end of the upper post and a bottom end of the lower post. The pivot mechanism has an upper connecting base and a lower connecting base pivotally connected to each other, and a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion respectively formed on the upper connecting base and the lower connecting base. When the upper connecting base and the lower connecting base pivot relatively to fold the upper post and the lower post, the first engaging portion is engaged with the second engaging portion to directly fasten and position the upper connecting base and the lower connecting base.