Outdoor Swivel Spotlight Spherical Socket and Nut Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor spotlights with swivel heads require multiple adjustments and lack a simple mechanism to fix the light bulb hood in a desired angular position, complicating both user operation and manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor swivel head spotlight design featuring a light bulb hood with a reflector and base, utilizing an externally threaded spherical socket and an internally threaded nut with a washer for easy adjustment and fixation along multiple axes, allowing the light bulb hood to be positioned and secured with a single nut, providing a weatherproof seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple adjustments are used to position the light bulb hood in multiple axes, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism is segmented into two functional components: a spherical socket that enables multi-axis movement, and a separate locking nut that secures the position. This segmentation allows the complex positioning function to be achieved through simple, independent components rather than a complex integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical socket acts as an intermediary element between the light bulb hood and the support arm, enabling multi-axis angular adjustment. The washer serves as a mediator between the nut and the spherical end, providing both locking function and weatherproof sealing, thus simplifying the overall structure while maintaining positioning precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustments are required to fix the light bulb hood, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical socket is pre-configured with an internal seat complementary to the spherical end, establishing the multi-axis adjustment capability before use. The washer is pre-positioned between the spherical end and the nut, so that when the nut is tightened, the weatherproof seal is automatically created without requiring additional sealing actions from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking and weatherproof sealing functions are merged into a single action of tightening the nut. The washer simultaneously provides the sealing function and transmits the locking force, so one operation achieves both position fixation and weatherproofing, greatly simplifying user operation.
3Ease of operation
If a simple fixation mechanism is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The washer serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures consistent contact between the nut and the spherical end. It distributes the locking force evenly and maintains the weatherproof seal under various operating conditions, thereby enhancing the reliability of the simple fixation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation mechanism uses composite construction with the washer providing both mechanical locking and environmental sealing functions. This composite approach ensures that the simple mechanism reliably maintains both position and weatherproofing over time.
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor swivel head spotlight is described. A light bulb hood comprises a reflector and base. The base comprises a spherical socket having an internal seat. A support arm comprising a spherical end and a distal end connected to the spherical end by a through conduit is provided. The spherical end is seated in the internal seat. An internally threaded nut comprising an inwardly projecting lip having an open interior diameter at least as large as the external diameter of the spherical end, is coupled with the spherical socket. A washer between the spherical end and the lip of the nut is provided. When the nut is in a loosened position, the hood may be positioned to a desired angular position and when the nut is in a tightened position, the washer presses the spherical end into the internal seat to fix the angular position of the light hood.