Standoff Regulator Self-Latching Handle to Prevent Vibration Loosening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional standoff regulators face issues with vibrations loosening the handle connection due to air flow, leading to incorrect positioning and re-orientation of the damper blade, necessitating a solution for granulated position-settings, self-latching, and damping of vibratory forces.

Innovation Solution

A standoff regulator with an adjustable coupler assembly and bracket system that allows the handle to self-latch and fix at a desired position with quantifiable torque, while dampening vibratory forces from the damper blade, ensuring secure engagement and preventing loosening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If air flows through the sleeve and over damper blade assembly, then the damper can be adjusted to control airflow direction and rate, but the flow of air may vibrate the damper and generate torque that loosens the handle connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of damper positionVSAvoidstability of handle connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The handle assembly is divided into separate functional components: the handle itself, the coupler assembly with biasing mechanism, and the damper blade assembly. This segmentation allows the handle connection to be independently secured with quantifiable torque while the damper can vibrate freely during operation without affecting the handle position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing mechanism is pre-loaded to apply continuous force that maintains the handle in its desired position before operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that when vibrations occur during airflow, the handle is already secured and resistant to loosening, as the biasing mechanism is engaged before the harmful vibrations start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the handle connection is secured tightly to prevent loosening, then the handle position remains stable, but the handle cannot be easily adjusted to different position settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of handle connectionVSAvoidadjustability of handle position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupler assembly incorporates a biasing mechanism that provides dynamic, adjustable securing force. During adjustment, the handle can be moved freely against the biasing force. Once positioned, the same biasing mechanism applies quantifiable torque to secure the handle tightly. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between ease of adjustment and stability as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing mechanism allows the securing torque parameter to be changed based on operational needs. During positioning, low torque allows easy adjustment; during operation, high torque provides stable connection. The system transitions between these parameter states through the adjustable nature of the biasing mechanism, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the handle is allowed to move freely for easy adjustment, then position settings can be changed easily, but vibrations from the damper can cause the handle to loosen and move from its desired position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of handle positionVSAvoidstability of handle position during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing mechanism is pre-configured to apply securing force at the moment the handle reaches its desired position. This preliminary action of engagement ensures that the handle is secured before vibrations begin to affect it during operation, preventing loosening while maintaining ease of adjustment during the positioning phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions from a free-moving state during adjustment to a secured state during operation. The biasing mechanism enables this dynamic behavior by allowing the handle to move freely when force is applied for adjustment, then automatically engaging to provide quantifiable torque that prevents loosening during vibratory operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If conventional standoff regulators are used, then the device structure is simple, but the handle connection loosens due to vibratory forces from the damper blade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of regulator structureVSAvoidstability of handle connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupler assembly acts as an intermediary component between the handle and the damper blade assembly. This intermediary incorporates the biasing mechanism to absorb and counteract vibratory forces, protecting the handle connection from loosening while maintaining the overall simplicity of the regulator structure through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by pre-loading the handle connection with securing force before vibratory forces can cause loosening. This prior cushioning effect counteracts the harmful vibrations from the damper blade, maintaining handle stability without requiring complex additional damping structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11598552B2Standoff regulator

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 WINDGATE PRODS

AI summary

A standoff comprising a handle that is adjustably associated with a bracket, with the handle self-latching in relation to bracket at a desired position and at a desired quantifiable torque in relation to the bracket.