Spring-Loaded Control Wire Clamp for Single-Handed Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current clamp designs fail to adequately secure control wires for artificial Christmas trees, making it difficult to adjust between stowed and deployed positions, and often require two hands to operate, leading to issues with tension and slack management.

Innovation Solution

A control wire clamp system with a spring mechanism that allows for adjustable clamping and unclamping with a single hand, featuring a clamp base, handle, and spring, enabling secure positioning of tree branches by transitioning between clamped and unclamped states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing clamp designs are used to secure control members, then clamping function is provided, but the clamp cannot adequately secure control wires to maintain stowed or deployed positions and requires two hands to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-handed operationVSAvoidsecuring control member

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is designed with a spring mechanism that automatically returns to the clamped position after being released, eliminating the need for a second hand to reset the device. The spring-loaded design allows one hand to both apply and release clamping force efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp incorporates a movable jaw connected to a spring mechanism that dynamically transitions between clamped and unclamped states. This dynamic design allows easy switching between states while maintaining secure holding capability when clamped

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If existing clamp designs are used, then clamping pressure can be applied, but it is difficult to apply or release clamping pressure and manage tension or slack in the control member loop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidclamping pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional manual adjustment mechanism is replaced with a spring-loaded system that uses elastic potential energy to automatically apply and release clamping pressure. This mechanical substitution simplifies the force application and release process to simple jaw movements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp design allows easy adjustment of clamping force parameters through the spring mechanism, enabling the user to control the degree of tension or slack in the control member loop by simply opening or closing the jaw

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables easy adjustment and secure positioning of tree branches between stowed and deployed states with single-handed operation, facilitating efficient storage and deployment of artificial Christmas trees.

Implementation Method 1

a spring configured to apply a force to the clamp handle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10622328B2Control wire clamp and loop systems and methods

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 POLYGROUP MACAU BVI

AI summary

A control wire clamp for securing a control member, such as a control wire, in place is disclosed. The default state of the control wire clamp may be a clamped state. The control wire clamp may be placed in an unclamped state by applying force to a clamp handle.