Spring-Loaded Tension Bar for Portable Light Manipulator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable light manipulators require significant force to assemble due to the tension in the elastic manipulator cloth and fixing means, making them difficult for users of lesser strength to set up and maintaining tension becomes challenging as the cloth ages, leading to instability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tension bar with spring-loaded moving sections that spread apart, reducing the assembly force needed and providing additional tension to the manipulator cloth, ensuring a stable hold even as the cloth ages, by using a spring force to counteract tension reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the manipulator cloth and fixing means are made elastic to provide tension, then the manipulator maintains its shape and stability during operation, but the assembly force required becomes enormous
Solution Approach 1:
The tension bar is divided into multiple segments that can move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the tension bar to gradually build up tension through incremental displacement rather than requiring all tension to be applied at once during assembly, significantly reducing the peak assembly force while maintaining the necessary tension for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension bar incorporates dynamic elements including movable segments that can displace longitudinally and spring elements that provide progressive resistance. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt during assembly, requiring less force initially and building tension progressively, whereas a static rigid bar would require the full tension force to be applied immediately.
2Reliability
If the manipulator cloth is made highly elastic to ensure sufficient hold on the frame, then the manipulator maintains stable tension, but the force required to assemble the frame increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are pre-loaded within the tension bar structure, storing potential energy before assembly begins. During assembly, this pre-stored energy is gradually released to assist in maintaining tension, reducing the manual force required from the assembler while ensuring reliable hold stability through the progressive engagement of the spring-loaded mechanism.
3Strength
If the manipulator cloth tension is increased to prevent bulging and instability, then the structural integrity improves, but the assembly becomes difficult for persons of lesser physical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The tension bar with movable segments and spring elements creates a dynamic tension-building mechanism that adapts to the assembler's strength. The system allows gradual tension development through segment displacement, enabling persons of lesser physical strength to assemble the manipulator while still achieving the necessary structural integrity and preventing bulging once assembled.
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 significantly reduces assembly force, enhances the stability and tolerance of the manipulator's tension, and maintains a reliable hold on the frame, making it easier to handle and more manageable for users of all strengths, while preventing undesired bulging and torsional instability.
Implementation Method 1
A spring force is provided therein between the moving sections that forces these sections apart from each other
Implementation Method 2
the cloth or the fastening means has an elasticity that pulls the moving sections toward each other
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a portable light manipulator including a frame and a manipulator cloth that is stretched or can be stretched on the frame, wherein the frame includes at least one tension bar, which has at least two moving sections that can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tension bar and are connected to one another or can be connected to one another, said moving sections being spring-loaded so as to be capable of being forced apart from one another by spring force in the longitudinal direction of the tension bar.