Pole-Mounted Utensil Storage with Adjustable Clamp Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices for utensils attached to masts lack efficient and convenient storage solutions for tools needed during operations like oil draining and oil filter replacement, particularly in medical and automotive maintenance contexts.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a triangular body and U-shaped cutout, featuring a gripping mechanism with adjustable screws and sliding dovetail ribs, securely attaches to a tubular mast, allowing horizontal placement and easy access to tools, enhancing tool storage and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a storage device is attached to a mast using a rigid fixing mechanism, then the stability and reliability of tool storage is improved, but the ease of operation and adjustability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device employs a dynamic fixing mechanism with a movable clamping element that can be adjusted along the mast. The clamping element is held in position by a spring force, allowing easy adjustment to different heights while maintaining secure attachment. This resolves the contradiction by making the fixing mechanism both adjustable (easy operation) and stable (reliable tool storage) through the dynamic equilibrium of spring force and friction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a storage device is designed with multiple compartments and housings for organized tool storage, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is divided into multiple independent compartments and housings within a single body structure. Each compartment can hold different tools or utensils separately. This segmentation allows versatile tool storage while keeping the overall device relatively simple, as each compartment is a discrete element that can be independently designed and manufactured.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device body is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate various types of tools and utensils through its multiple compartments. The standardized compartment design allows the same basic structure to serve multiple storage purposes, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a storage device uses a simple attachment mechanism to a mast, then the ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the stability and gripping force deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses a spring-loaded clamping element that automatically generates gripping force through its own elastic energy. The spring force creates friction between the clamping element and the mast surface, providing self-sustaining grip without requiring additional power sources or complex adjustment mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains strong grip while keeping the mechanism simple to manufacture.
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 solution provides efficient, compact, and cost-effective storage for tools, improving operator convenience and stability during operations like oil draining and oil filter replacement, while maintaining economical manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the storage device being held to the mast by the pressure force exerted by a gripping means connected to the body
Implementation Method 2
by the reaction force of a part of the wall of the cutting acting on the mast
Implementation Method 3
a gravity emptying apparatus of the type comprising a recovery tank surmounted by a tubular mast supporting a recovery receptacle, the mast being arranged substantially vertically and allowing the flow of a fluid from the receptacle to the tank
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The storage device (10) comprises a body (41) provided with a plurality of housings and holding cavities (20, 22, 24) and a central cutout (42) provided with an internal wall designed to receive the pole (34). The device (10) is held on the pole (34) by the pressure force exerted by a gripping member (49) that is connected to the body (41) and is adjustable with respect to the pole (12) and by the reaction force of a part of said wall of the cutout (42) acting on the pole (12). The gripping means (49) comprises a fixing flange (50), separate from the body (41), inserted into the cutout (42) and connected in an adjustable manner to said wall of the cutout (42). Application to a gravity emptying appliance.