Spring-Latched Tent Support for Stable Sliding Seat Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tent supports face challenges in positioning stability and ease of assembly due to gaps between sliding seats and upright rods, and complex assembly processes involving springs and positioning structures.
Innovation Solution
A tent support design featuring a sliding seat with a positioning member, spring, and outward protruding button that engages with positioning holes on upright rods, allowing for simple assembly and stable positioning through the cooperation of these components, enabling smooth folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a gap is left between the sliding seat and upright rod to facilitate assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but positioning stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented into multiple components: positioning holes in the upright rod, positioning protrusions on the sliding seat, and spring-loaded positioning structures. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and assembled with gaps, while collectively achieving stable positioning when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning holes and protrusions are pre-formed during manufacturing with precise geometries. The spring mechanism is pre-assembled in the sliding seat, ready to automatically engage with the positioning holes without requiring precise manual alignment during assembly, thus facilitating easy assembly while ensuring positioning stability.
2Reliability
If a spring and positioning structure are used to position the sliding seat, then positioning stability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring, positioning protrusion, and button are merged into a single integrated sliding seat component. The positioning protrusion is formed as an integral part of the sliding seat, and the spring is pre-positioned within the same component, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded positioning structure is designed to automatically engage with the positioning holes without external assistance. When the sliding seat is inserted, the spring automatically pushes the positioning protrusion into the positioning hole, and the button provides self-latching functionality, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures or additional tools.
3Ease of operation
If the protrusion is pressed to disengage from the positioning hole, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning stability deteriorates temporarily
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state through button pressure. The spring mechanism allows the positioning protrusion to dynamically move between engaged and disengaged positions, enabling easy folding operation while maintaining stable positioning when at rest. The temporary loss of stability during transition is necessary and acceptable for achieving the folding function.
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 design enhances the stability and ease of assembly of the tent support by ensuring precise positioning and easy operation, improving user experience with a simpler and more stable structure compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The positioning structure is confined in the upright rod. Under normal circumstances, the protrusion will extend out of the upright rod. When the sliding seat slides to the position of the protrusion, it will push the protrusion, so that the protrusion is retracted into the upright rod and the spring is compressed. When the sliding seat slides to the position corresponding to the positioning hole facing the protrusion, the spring will make the protrusion extend outward to enter the positioning hole
Data Source
AI summary
A tent support includes a plurality upright rods, a top module provided at a center of a top of the tent support, a plurality of side rod assemblies each connected to every adjacent two of the upright rods, and a plurality of top rod assemblies connected to the side rod assemblies and the top module. At least one positioning hole is provided at a junction of two adjacent side walls of each upright rod. A sliding seat provided on each upright rod includes a positioning member which is selectively engaged in the positioning hole, a spring, a positioning pin and an outward protruding button therein. The tent support, as a whole, is simple in structure, easy to assemble, and stable in positioning.