Triaxial Spherical Joint Structure for Secure Horizontal Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spherical universal joint structures are heavy, prone to disengagement leading to device damage, and lack horizontal direction adjustment capability.
Innovation Solution
A triaxial spherical universal joint structure with a body, sphere, and rotating shaft, featuring a notch that opens to a predetermined angle, allowing the sphere and rotating shaft to be clamped and released for secure positioning and horizontal rotation, made from lighter materials like plastic to prevent weight-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal material is used for the spherical universal joint structure, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, transforming the physical and chemical properties of the joint structure. This parameter change reduces weight while maintaining sufficient strength through proper plastic material selection and structural design, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs plastic composite materials that combine lightweight properties with adequate mechanical strength. By selecting appropriate plastic materials and potentially incorporating reinforcement elements, the structure achieves optimal balance between weight reduction and strength requirements
2Ease of operation
If the fixing bolt is loosened to adjust the ball head direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic fixing mechanism where the fixing assembly can be easily switched between locked and unlocked states. The ball head direction adjustment is facilitated by a simple locking/unlocking action, and the notched structure provides inherent positioning that prevents accidental disengagement, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing assembly acts as an intermediary element between the ball head and the mounting surface. It provides a controlled interface that allows intentional adjustment while preventing unintentional disengagement, mediating between the need for adjustability and the need for secure fixation
3Manufacturing precision
If the notch size is controlled by a fixing assembly, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the body into segmented portions with a notch that allows the sphere and rotating shaft to be inserted at predetermined angles. This segmentation enables precise positioning without requiring complex fixing assemblies, as the notched geometry itself provides the necessary alignment and size control
Solution Approach 2:
The notched structure is designed to be self-aligning and self-positioning. When the sphere and rotating shaft are inserted, the notch geometry automatically guides them to the correct orientation and depth, eliminating the need for additional fixing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision
Data Source
AI summary
A triaxial spherical universal joint structure includes: a body; a sphere; and a rotating shaft, wherein the body is provided with a sphere accommodating part and a rotating shaft accommodating part adjacent to each other in up-and-down directions, the sphere accommodating part extends upward to form an opening of the sphere accommodating part, the rotating shaft accommodating part extends downward to form an opening of the rotating shaft accommodating part, the body is provided with a notch extending from the opening of the sphere accommodating part to the opening of the rotating shaft accommodating part, the sphere accommodating part and the rotating shaft accommodating part are communicated with the external space via the notch, a fixing assembly is provided on the body at a position close to the notch and the opening of the sphere accommodating part, the rotating shaft may rotate horizontally in the rotating shaft accommodating part.