Thermochromic Pen Stabilizing Erasing Member via Gravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermochromic writing instruments face issues with the movable pin not properly contacting the knock mechanism when erected for writing or when the erasing member does not protrude correctly for erasing, leading to instability and inconvenience in using the instrument.
Innovation Solution
A thermochromic writing instrument design featuring a body with a rib, a moving member, a frictional member, a weight, and a guide, where the guide moves along the body's inner surface, allowing the weight to contact the knock mechanism when erected for writing and stabilizing the frictional member when inverted for erasing, ensuring smooth operation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the movable pin freely moves in the existing design, then the writing instrument can be turned upside down for erasing, but the movable pin may not properly contact the knock mechanism when erected or the erasing member may not maintain a protruding state
Solution Approach 1:
The moving member is designed to dynamically change its position and function based on the orientation of the writing instrument. When erected, the weight causes the moving member to contact the knock mechanism for writing mode. When inverted, gravity causes the moving member to contact the catching protrusion, stabilizing the erasing member in a protruding state for erasing mode. This dynamic repositioning ensures reliable contact and stable function in both modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight component is strategically positioned on the moving member to act as a counterweight that utilizes gravity to control the position of the moving member. When the instrument is inverted, the weight ensures the moving member contacts the catching protrusion, preventing the erasing member from retracting and maintaining stable protrusion for reliable erasing function.
2Ease of operation
If the erasing member is designed to protrude from the body for erasing, then heat can be generated by friction, but the erasing member may not maintain the protruding state when pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The catching protrusion is pre-positioned on the body to engage with the moving member before the erasing operation begins. When the instrument is inverted, the moving member is gravity-driven into contact with the catching protrusion, which preliminarily secures the erasing member in a protruding state. This preliminary engagement ensures the erasing member remains stable during the subsequent friction-based erasing operation.
3Reliability
If the movable pin is coupled to the holder with a ball joint, then the erasing member can be positioned for erasing, but the knock mechanism may not operate smoothly when the instrument is erected
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the moving member, the weight, the catching protrusion, and the knock mechanism. The moving member is separated from the holder's ball joint coupling and instead interacts with the catching protrusion. This segmentation allows the knock mechanism to operate independently and smoothly during writing, while the moving member independently stabilizes the erasing member during erasing operations.
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
Enables stable writing and erasing functions by ensuring the knock mechanism operates smoothly when the instrument is erected and the frictional member protrudes correctly for heat generation, improving convenience and stability.
Implementation Method 1
the frictional member may be rubbed to generate heat to erase a written content
Implementation Method 2
a weight configured to be provided at the other side of the moving member to contact or to not contact the knock mechanism according to movement of the moving member
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to relates to a thermochromic writing instrument that may use thermochromic ink and erase a written content by generating heat with a frictional member provided thereat. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a thermochromic writing instrument including: a body configured to be provided with a knock mechanism that exposes a thermochromic writing part to the outside or accommodates the thermochromic writing part; a rib configured to be provided at an inner circumferential surface of the body to protrude in a central line direction of the body; a moving member configured to move along the inside of the body; a frictional member configured to be provided at one side of the moving member to protrude out of the body; a weight configured to be provided at the other side of the moving member to contact or to not contact the knock mechanism according to movement of the moving member; and a guide configured to be disposed between the outside of the moving member and the inside of the body to move along the inside of the body and to be spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of the moving member by a predetermined interval.