Tilting Appliance Mounting With Simplified Pivot Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for embedding in walls, such as power outlets or USB sockets, often require complex mechanisms with numerous interacting parts and adjustments, and the actuation of the actuation key is not intuitive or easy to manage, particularly due to the use of compression springs that need specific force application.
Innovation Solution
A device with a simplified mechanism featuring a pivoting system and a separate actuation key that allows easy and intuitive operation, utilizing torsion springs and a locking system with locking arms that are controlled by the actuation key, enabling smooth tilting and locking of the equipment support without complex adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compression springs are used to push the locking arm and actuating key, then the locking mechanism can maintain the locking position, but the user must exert pressure at a specific location which complicates operation
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating key serves as an intermediary element that the user directly operates. The key transmits the user's pressing force to the locking arm, mediating between the user's simple pressing action and the complex locking mechanism. This eliminates the need for the user to apply force at specific difficult locations, as the key's broad top surface provides an intuitive pressing area.
2Reliability
If multiple compression springs act on both the locking arm and actuating key, then the locking mechanism functions reliably, but the number of parts increases and adjustments become necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating key and locking arm are merged into a single integrated component in this embodiment. The locking arm has a top surface that directly receives the user's pressing force, eliminating the need for a separate actuating key. This merging reduces the number of parts and eliminates the need for additional compression springs to act on a separate key, while maintaining reliable locking function through the direct force transmission path.
3Ease of operation
If the locking arm is permanently pushed by compression springs towards the release position, then the locking mechanism can be actuated, but an additional compression spring is needed on the actuating key which complicates the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating key is extracted as a separate, simplified component that is permanently pushed towards the release position by a single compression spring. This allows the main locking arm to be actuated by the user's pressing action on the key, while the key's spring handles the return to release position. This extraction simplifies the overall structure by separating the actuation function from the locking 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 solution provides a simpler, more intuitive, and efficient mechanism for tilting and locking the equipment support, ensuring easy operation and reliable functionality with minimal parts and adjustments, enhancing user experience and manufacturing ease.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing torsion springs and a locking system with locking arms
Implementation Method 2
under the action of any elastic return means which pushes this locking arm into the unlocked extended position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100) which includes a front plate (120) having an opening, a device support (110) mounted to pivot through said opening between a lowered position in which it extends below the front plate and a raised position in which it extends mostly above the front plate, a locking system (300) which includes, on the one hand, at least one locking arm (310) movable between a locking position in which a locking portion (311) of said locking arm bears against a locking surface (118) of the device support and a release position in which said locking portion is moved away from said locking surface, and, on the other hand, an actuation button (140) for controlling the movement of each locking arm, pivoting about a pivot axis which extends parallel to the mean plane of said front plate.According to the invention, each locking arm pivots around a pivot axis perpendicular to said tilting axis of the actuation key and return means (320) are provided which permanently push each locking arm into its locking position.