Modular Instrument Body with Rotating and Translating Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instruments, such as writing pens and tools, often require complex mechanisms like sliders and lids, which can be cumbersome and limit ergonomic design and modularity.
Innovation Solution
A design featuring a body with independently movable modules that can translate and rotate, eliminating the need for additional lids or sliders, allowing for easy access and alternation of active portions, and incorporating a guiding mechanism with complementary surfaces and a blocking device for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sliders and lids are used in instruments, then the active portions can be protected and accessed, but the device becomes complex and cumbersome, limiting ergonomic design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional lid and slider components from the instrument structure. Instead, the body itself is designed to serve as the protective cover, and the modules are directly accessible through openings in the body, eliminating the need for separate lid and slider mechanisms while maintaining protection and access functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the lid, slider, and module housing into a single integrated body structure. The body simultaneously provides protection for the modules, guides their movement, and serves as the handle, reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the device architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple modules with active portions are included in the instrument, then versatility and customization options increase, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the instrument into separate, independently movable modules, each containing an active portion. These modules can be individually positioned, removed, or replaced within the body, allowing for high versatility and customization while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized module interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the body with a universal guiding mechanism that can accommodate multiple different module types. The same body structure and guiding system work with various modules having different active portions, enabling multi-functionality without requiring complex specialized structures for each module type
3Ease of operation
If modules are made independently movable with translation and rotation capabilities, then ease of access to active portions improves, but the guiding mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex mechanical linkages to enable module movement, the patent inverts the approach by using the module's own geometry and the body's guiding surfaces to naturally guide the translation and rotation movements. The module shape itself works with the guiding mechanism rather than requiring additional actuating components
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument includes a body, at least two modules, each separate from the one or other modules, including an operative portion and being movable relative to the body and, for each module, a mechanism for guiding the translation and rotation of the module along the body, the module being movable relative to the body, successively in translation parallel to a first axis and in rotation about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and which is rigidly connected to the body, between an inoperative configuration in which the operative portion of the module is housed inside the body and a use configuration in which the operative portion of the module projects from the body. The two modules or two of the modules are arranged on either side of a single arm of the body, which extends along the first axis from a base to an end of the body.