Ratchet Wheel Adjustment Mechanism for Thin Reliable Locking

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adjustment devices for head-mounted display devices often increase the weight and thickness due to complex gear assemblies, making them bulky and inconvenient for use.

Innovation Solution

An adjustment device featuring a ratchet wheel assembly with a pawl and a fixing rod that allows for rotatable and locked states without increasing the overall structure thickness, using a simpler mechanism that accommodates the fixing rod within the intrinsic structure space, enabling intuitive and convenient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex gear assemblies are used to achieve limiting and fixing, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device thickness and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex gear assemblies and implements it through a simplified pawl-ratchet mechanism combined with a fixing rod. The pawl engages with ratchet teeth to provide reliable locking, while the fixing rod extends to prevent rotation, achieving effective limiting and fixing without the bulk of traditional gear assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical gear assemblies with a simpler mechanical system consisting of a pawl, ratchet teeth, and fixing rod. This substitution maintains the core locking and limiting functions while significantly reducing structural complexity, thickness, and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If complex gear assemblies are used to achieve limiting and fixing, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex gear assemblies and implements it through a simplified pawl-ratchet mechanism combined with a fixing rod. The pawl engages with ratchet teeth to provide reliable locking, while the fixing rod extends to prevent rotation, achieving effective limiting and fixing without the bulk of traditional gear assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical gear assemblies with a simpler mechanical system consisting of a pawl, ratchet teeth, and fixing rod. This substitution maintains the core locking and limiting functions while significantly reducing structural complexity, thickness, and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If tight fittings are used to achieve limiting and fixing, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the locking function into distinct components: the pawl for engagement, the ratchet teeth for positioning, and the fixing rod for limiting rotation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply and effectively, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliable locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical gear assemblies with a simpler mechanical system consisting of a pawl, ratchet teeth, and fixing rod. This substitution maintains the core locking and limiting functions while significantly reducing structural complexity, thickness, and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 allows for precise adjustment of tightness without adding bulk, providing a lightweight and user-friendly mechanism for head-mounted display devices by eliminating the need for complex gear assemblies and enabling the fixing rod to be accommodated within the existing structure, thus enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic arm is arranged on a side of the body and includes a first connecting segment and a second connecting segment that are connected. The first connecting segment is connected to the body. The second connecting segment is connected to the pawl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12000459B2Adjustment device switchable between a rotatable state or a locked state

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 PEGATRON

AI summary

An adjustment device includes a base, a ratchet wheel assembly and a fixing rod. The base includes an accommodating groove and ratchet teeth. The ratchet wheel assembly is rotatably accommodated in the accommodating groove and includes a body, an elastic arm, and a pawl. The elastic arm includes a first connecting segment connected to the body and a second connecting segment connected to the pawl. The pawl may engage with one of the ratchet teeth. The fixing rod movably extends between the body and the elastic arm. When the fixing rod is arranged between the second connecting segment and the body, the pawl is fixed to the ratchet teeth, so that the ratchet wheel assembly is positioned on the base. When the fixing rod is arranged between the first connecting segment and the body, the ratchet wheel assembly may rotate relative to the base.