Tape Locking Stopper with Friction Sheath and Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring tape devices lack a reliable and simple locking mechanism, leading to complexity and high production costs, with the existing automatic position locking mechanism being prone to reliability issues due to multiple components and wear from extensive usage.
Innovation Solution
A measuring tape device with a stopper connected to an actuator via a linkage part, featuring a hinge joint and an elastic piece, where the stopper is sheathed with a frictional material to generate high friction for locking the tape in place, allowing for easy locking and unlocking through a single actuator press, reducing component complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional automatic position locking mechanism with multiple components (button, J-shaped extension piece, stopper, spring) is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the device structure becomes complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stopper and actuator into a single integrated component. The stopper includes an actuating end that directly engages the tape, eliminating the need for separate buttons, J-shaped extension pieces, and springs. This merging of components simplifies the structure while maintaining the locking function, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Reliability
If a conventional locking mechanism with multiple components is used, then the locking function is achieved, but production cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the stopper and actuator into one component, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This single-component design lowers production costs while maintaining reliable locking functionality, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism depends on the J-shaped extension piece and stopper contact, then the locking function is achieved, but reliability decreases due to wear from extensive usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the J-shaped extension piece from the mechanism. The actuating end of the stopper directly engages the tape without requiring intermediate components. This removal of the wear-prone J-shaped piece eliminates the reliability issue caused by contact deterioration, while maintaining ease of operation through direct engagement.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple stopper design without integration is used, then manufacturing is easier, but the locking mechanism becomes less reliable due to connection issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stopper and actuator into a single integrated component, eliminating connection interfaces that could fail. This integration ensures consistent performance without the reliability issues of separate connected parts, while still maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single-component production process, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
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 provides a reliable and cost-effective locking mechanism that simplifies the construction of the measuring tape device, ensuring consistent locking performance without the need for complex connections, enhancing user convenience and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
Between the casing and the linkage part of the stopper is an elastic piece, one end of the elastic piece is fixated at the lower end of the wall inside the casing near the aperture, while the other end is fixated to the linkage part of the stopper
Implementation Method 2
the stopper is sheathed with a frictional material to generate high friction for locking the tape in place
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring tape device with automatic locking mechanism comprises of a casing, a bobbin that is set within the casing with a spring, a coilable tape that is contained in the casing. One end of the tape is connected to the spring and is wound around the bobbin, while the other end is extended outside through an aperture that is formed at the lower end to of casing, and this other end is connected to a hook member. The device also comprises of a stopper, it consists of an end that is positioned on the linear portion of tape, and an actuator that is connected to the end portion by a linkage part. The actuator is extruded outside and is settled at the surface of the casing. The device includes a hinge joint for fixating the stopper inside the casing and for allowing the stopper to rotate, and an elastic member placed between the casing and the linkage portion. The measuring tape device of present invention will lock the tape in place after the tape is extracted out from the casing, the locking mechanism of the tape is considered effective, and it has relatively low production cost, hence it is beneficial for mass production.