Adjustable Steering Joint With Separated Pivot and Lock Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering joints face challenges in angular adjustment due to the pivoting points and locking points being coincident, leading to reduced load-carrying capacity and ease of anti-slip structure collapse under heavy equipment loads.
Innovation Solution
A steering joint design featuring a base with a sleeve and first pivot plate, a rotary base with a clamp and second pivot plate, and a locking piece that separates the pivoting and clamping/fixed positions, allowing for relative rotation and increased load-bearing capacity without a sawtooth anti-slip structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pivoting point and locking point are located at the same position in a conventional steering joint, then the structure is simple, but the load carrying capacity is reduced and the tightening knob bears considerable rotation moment making it easy to loosen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the steering joint into two separate functional components: a base with a first pivot plate and a rotary base with a second pivot plate. The pivot point and locking point are spatially separated, with the locking piece acting on the second pivot plate while the pivot point remains at the connection between the first and second pivot plates. This segmentation allows the structure to handle heavy loads while maintaining simplicity.
2Strength
If a sawtooth-shaped anti-slip structure is used to prevent loosening under heavy loads, then the load carrying capacity is improved, but the minimum angle adjustment problem occurs and the structure may collapse when operated incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the sawtooth-shaped anti-slip structure from the design entirely. Instead, it relies on the spatial separation between the pivot point and locking point, combined with the guide groove and through hole alignment mechanism, to provide both secure locking under heavy loads and precise angle adjustment capability without the drawbacks of minimum angle limitations or structural collapse risks.
3Strength
If the tightening knob bears considerable rotation moment under heavy equipment loads, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the tightening knob can be easily loosened during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking piece serves as an intermediary element that translates the locking action into effective clamping force. It penetrates through the through hole and engages with the guide groove, creating a mechanical interlock between the base and rotary base. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the locking force is effectively transmitted to maintain structural integrity and prevent loosening under heavy loads.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a steering joint for connecting a bottom pipe and a supporting pipe, which comprises a base, a rotary seat and a locking piece. The base comprises a sleeve portion connected with the bottom pipe and a first pivoting plate comprising a guide groove. The rotary seat comprises a clamp for clamping the supporting pipe and a second pivoting plate comprising a through hole. The first pivoting plate and the second pivoting plate are pivoted together at a pivoting point, when the first pivoting plate and the second pivoting plate rotate relatively, the through hole is kept align to the guide groove. The locking piece penetrates through the through hole and the guide groove and clamps and fixes the first pivoting plate and the second pivoting plate. Through that a certain distance exists between the locking piece and the pivoting point, the load carrying capacity is increased.