Stretchable Assembly With Dual Limiting Mechanisms for Smooth Cover Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional stretchable assemblies used in storage apparatuses are prone to tilting and jamming due to fixed structures on one side, leading to instability and difficulty in opening and closing the cover.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable assembly with a tube and rod design featuring limiting mechanisms and a driving mechanism, allowing the limiting mechanisms to switch between limiting and releasing states, ensuring stable and smooth transitions during stretching and shortening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed structures (screws, pins, or buckles) are arranged on one side of the stretchable assembly, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the stretchable assembly is prone to tilting and jamming during stretching, reducing stability and smoothness
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed structure is segmented into multiple limiting mechanisms distributed at different positions (first limiting mechanism at the first end, second limiting mechanism at the second end) rather than concentrated at one location. This segmentation prevents tilting and jamming by providing balanced constraint points throughout the stretchable assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting mechanisms are arranged in different spatial dimensions along the rod's length, with the first limiting mechanism positioned at the first end and the second limiting mechanism positioned at the second end. This dimensional distribution ensures stable constraint in multiple directions simultaneously, preventing both tilting and jamming.
2Device complexity
If fixed structures are arranged on one side of the stretchable assembly, then the device complexity is low, but the stretchable assembly experiences skew and blockage during stretching, affecting cover operation
Solution Approach 1:
The single fixed structure is divided into multiple limiting mechanisms that are independently positioned at different ends of the rod. Each limiting mechanism provides localized constraint, and their combined effect ensures smooth stretching without skew or blockage, while maintaining relatively simple individual mechanism designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the stretchable assembly are given different functional qualities: the first limiting mechanism provides constraint at the first end, the second limiting mechanism provides constraint at the second end, and the driving mechanism provides actuation at a specific location. This localized functional distribution ensures smooth operation by providing appropriate constraints at each critical location.
Data Source
AI summary
A stretchable assembly and a storage apparatus using the stretchable assembly is provided. The stretchable assembly includes a tube and a rod. The tube includes two limiting holes and a through hole formed at a periphery surface; the rod includes a first end slidably received in the tube. The stretchable assembly further includes two limiting mechanisms and a driving mechanism. The limiting mechanisms are slidably arranged at the first end of the rod and corresponding to the two limiting holes respectively, each of the limiting mechanisms has a first state that the limiting mechanism is inserted in the limiting hole for limiting, and a second state that the limiting mechanism is separated from the limiting hole for releasing the limiting. The driving mechanism is arranged at the first end of the rod and corresponding to the through hole, the driving mechanism is in driving connection with the two limiting mechanisms.