Reconfigurable Pivoting Arm for Multi-Angle Receptacle Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pivoting devices in the automotive industry require complex designs with multiple parts to achieve different angular arrangements of receptacles, which complicates assembly and reduces versatility.

Innovation Solution

A pivoting device with a one-piece swivel arm featuring a receiving profile and counter-profile that allows for various angular positions, enabling simple connection and disconnection of tools or additional pivoting devices, and utilizing an electric motor with a worm gear for precise angular pivoting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the pivoting element is designed in multiple parts with hole patterns to achieve different angular positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifferent angular positions of receptacleVSAvoidcomplex design of pivoting arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The solution divides the pivoting element into two functional parts: a fixed pivoting arm and a detachable receptacle with a receiving profile. The receptacle can be removed and reattached at different angular positions, allowing multiple configurations without requiring multiple complex pivoting arm designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle is designed to be detachably connectable to the pivoting arm, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the angular position. This enables the same pivoting arm to serve multiple functions at different angles, reducing the need for multiple fixed-configuratio

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the pivoting element is designed in multiple parts, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifferent angular positions of receptacleVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is designed as a separate detachable component with a receiving profile that interfaces with the pivoting arm. This segmentation allows the receptacle to be manufactured independently and attached at different angular positions, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to creating multiple complex pivoting arm variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving profile on the pivoting arm is designed to universally accept the receptacle at multiple angular positions. This universal interface simplifies manufacturing by using a single pivoting arm design that can accommodate different receptacle orientations, rather than requiring multiple specialized arm designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a two-part pivoting arm design is used, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to additional connection points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting plate in different angular positionsVSAvoidstructural integrity of pivoting arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the receptacle from the pivoting arm, allowing the receptacle to be detached and reattached at different positions. This maintains the structural integrity of the pivoting arm itself, as the arm remains a single solid piece without internal joints or connection points that would compromise its strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle and pivoting arm are designed to form a unified, rigid connection when assembled. The receiving profile ensures that the receptacle and arm work together as a single structural unit, maintaining reliability through a robust, integrated connection rather than multiple separate attachment points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the structure and enhances the versatility of the pivoting device, allowing for different tool positions and increased applicability, while maintaining robustness and ease of assembly.

Implementation Method 1

an electric motor (4) arranged in the housing (2) for pivoting the output shaft (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

which has a worm gear (35)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWorm drive mechanism: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentEP3488972B1Pivoting device
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 UNIVER
  • EP3488972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3488972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3488972B1 patent drawingFigure 3~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a pivoting device (1) comprising a housing (2), an output shaft (3) mounted in and extending from the housing (2), a drive (4) arranged in the housing (2) for pivoting the output shaft (3), a pivoting element (5) rotationally fixed to the output shaft (3) in the area extending from the housing (2), and a receptacle (6) mounted in and connected to the pivoting element (5), wherein the receptacle (6) can be arranged in different angular positions. In such a pivoting device, the pivoting element (5) has a receiving profile (8) for the receptacle (6), and the receptacle (6) has a counter-profile (9) that corresponds to the receiving profile (8), wherein the receiving profile (8) and the counter-profile (9) are designed such that these profiles (8, 9) can be arranged in different positions relative to each other of the receptacle (6) and the pivoting element (5).Such a swiveling device ensures a universal angular arrangement of the recording, while maintaining a particularly simple structural design.