Pivoting Arm Mechanism with Torsion Spring for Even Force Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding and opening mechanisms for pivoting elements, such as centrifuge covers, face issues with uneven force distribution, potential for sample contamination, and structural limitations that lead to warping or jamming, especially in heavy applications, and are prone to dirt accumulation and user safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A holding and opening mechanism with multiple pivoting arms, guide elements, and a common torsion spring or bar that distributes force evenly, integrated into the pivoting element to prevent contamination and user safety hazards, with adjustable force and design features to optimize pivoting behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If multiple holding and opening mechanisms are provided, then the holding and opening force is increased, but the weight of the cover increases and warping may still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The holding and opening mechanism is divided into multiple independent pivoting arms (at least two) that are distributed across the cover. Each pivoting arm has its own roller that contacts the control surface, allowing the holding and opening force to be segmented and distributed across multiple contact points. This segmentation increases the total holding force while maintaining cover stability and preventing warping.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pivoting arms are combined with a common control surface and torsion spring system. The pivoting arms work together through the shared control surface geometry to provide coordinated holding and opening forces. This merging allows the system to achieve greater total force with a unified mechanism rather than separate independent mechanisms, reducing overall weight.
2Weight of moving object
If a single holding and opening mechanism is used, then the weight is reduced, but the cover tends to warp during opening or closing
Solution Approach 1:
The single holding and opening mechanism is segmented into multiple pivoting arms that are strategically positioned across the cover. This segmentation provides distributed support points that prevent the cover from warping during opening or closing, while still maintaining a lightweight overall structure compared to multiple complete mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting arms are positioned at different locations and orientations on the cover, creating an asymmetric distribution of support points. This asymmetric arrangement is optimized to prevent warping in specific high-risk areas while minimizing the total number of components and overall weight.
3Device complexity
If the roller and control surface are exposed, then the mechanism is simpler, but dirt may collect and lead to sample contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The roller and control surface contact elements are extracted from the main mechanism housing and positioned in a separate, accessible location on the pivoting arm. This extraction allows the contact surfaces to be easily removed, cleaned, or replaced without disassembling the entire mechanism, thereby preventing dirt accumulation and sample contamination while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting arm serves as an intermediary element that carries the roller away from the main mechanism body. This intermediary positioning creates physical separation between the dirt-prone contact surfaces and the sample environment, reducing the risk of contamination while keeping the overall mechanism design simple.
4Reliability
If gas spring is used, then the system is relatively closed, but the gas spring wears out easily and oil leakage can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring mechanical system is replaced with a torsion spring-based pivoting arm mechanism. This substitution eliminates the sealed gas spring component that is prone to wear and oil leakage, while providing comparable or superior reliability through a simpler, more durable mechanical torsion spring system that does not require sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring and roller components are designed as simple, replaceable parts with no sealing requirements. These components can be easily replaced if worn, and their simple construction makes them more durable and reliable than complex sealed gas springs over the long term.
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 mechanism ensures consistent force application, reduces the risk of contamination, and minimizes vibrations during operation, providing a reliable and safe solution for medical devices and centrifuges by evenly distributing the holding and opening force without increasing weight.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring which acts on the pivoting arm in a direction around the second axle so as to generate a holding and opening force on the pivoting arm and on the control surface
Data Source
AI summary
A holding and opening mechanism for a pivoting element which is mounted to be pivotable relative to a supporting element about a first axle via a joint, with a pivoting arm acting between the pivoting element and the supporting element is provided. The pivoting arm is pivotally mounted about a second axle wherein the free end of the pivoting arm acts on a control surface of a guide element. A torsion spring is provided which acts on the pivoting arm in the direction around the second axle, a fixed part and a part pivotable relative thereto likewise provided, with the one part including the guide element and the other part including the pivoting arm. The pivotable part is adapted to be pivotable relative to the fixed part about the joint and the first axle, the pivotable part is connected to the pivoting arm and the pivoting element and the fixed part is connected to the supporting element, the control surface in cooperation with the torsion spring and the pivoting arm determines the holding and opening force via the pivot angle of the pivoting element.