Rotating Joint Spreading Mechanism for Stable Binocular Pivot Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary joints in long-range optical instruments, such as binoculars, face challenges in precisely and permanently adjusting pivoting resistance, which can change unintentionally with repeated use and require significant space due to the need for lock nuts.
Innovation Solution
A rotary joint with a spreading device and a force transmission surface that converts spreading force into a force acting along the pivot axis, allowing for precise adjustment and decoupling of joint parts, eliminating the need for lock nuts and reducing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a clamp with continuous screw and two lock nuts is used to adjust pivoting resistance, then the pivoting resistance can be adjusted, but the adjustment can change unintentionally after repeated use and the device requires a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lock nuts from the adjustment mechanism, extracting the problematic components that caused adjustment drift. Instead of using a clamp with lock nuts, the invention uses a spreading device that directly presses against the force transmission surface, eliminating the need for separate locking components and thereby preventing unintentional adjustment changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static clamping mechanism with lock nuts to a dynamic spreading device that can be adjusted along the pivot axis. The spreading element can be positioned at different locations to achieve different clamping forces, and the mechanism maintains its adjustment through the geometric relationship between the spreading device and the force transmission surface, rather than requiring fixed lock nuts.
2Ease of operation
If a clamp with lock nuts is used to adjust pivoting resistance, then the adjustment can be made, but the device requires a lot of space due to the lock nuts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lock nuts from the system, removing the space-consuming components. The adjustment mechanism is simplified to use only the spreading device and the force transmission surface, eliminating the need for additional locking components and thereby reducing the overall volume of the rotary joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the adjustment and locking functions into a single integrated mechanism. The spreading device simultaneously performs both the adjustment of pivoting resistance and the maintenance of that adjustment through its interaction with the force transmission surface, eliminating the need for separate adjustment and locking components.
3Reliability
If a spreading device with force transmission surface is used, then the adjustment remains stable over repeated pivoting, but the mechanism requires precise force conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the force transmission surface as an intermediary element between the spreading device and the joint parts. This surface converts the spreading force into a force acting along the pivot axis, mediating the force transmission and ensuring stable adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall mechanism structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the geometric parameters of the force transmission surface (inclination angle, curvature, normal distance from pivot axis) to control the force conversion. By carefully selecting these parameters, the mechanism achieves reliable force transmission and stable adjustment without requiring complex additional components.
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 enables precise and permanent adjustment of pivoting resistance, maintaining stability over repeated use while minimizing space, by converting spreading force into a clamping force that acts between joint parts, thus enhancing the performance and design efficiency of long-range optical instruments.
Implementation Method 1
a force transmission surface 16 that interacts with the spreading device 6 to convert the spreading force of the spreading device 6 into a force acting from the adjustment device 5 on at least one joint part 2, 3 in the direction of the pivot axis 4
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pivot joint (1) for a remote optical instrument (10), in particular a binocular, comprising: - at least two joint parts (2, 3) pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis (4), and - an adjustment device (5) for adjusting the pivoting resistance and/or a detent (26) between the joint parts (2, 3). In order to enable more precise and permanent adjustment and to allow a space-saving design, the adjustment device (5) comprises: - a spreading device (6) with at least one spreading element (7) adjustable along the pivot axis (4), and - at least one force transmission surface (16) cooperating with the spreading device (6) to convert the spreading force of the spreading device (6) into a force acting from the adjustment device (5) on at least one joint part (2, 3), preferably in the direction of the pivot axis (4).