Tripod Locking Assembly With Elastic Self-Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tripod locking mechanisms require complex operations, such as constant loosening and tightening for spiral locking, and lack adjustable locking force in pull buckle locking, leading to inconvenient and time-consuming adjustments, especially when multiple legs need to be locked or unlocked simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly with an elastic component that provides self-locking force, allowing a driving component to be operated with minimal force to unlock or lock multiple legs simultaneously, featuring a rotating shaft, abutting components, and a movable component with locking grooves and members, facilitated by a driving-type mechanism that includes a micro motor for electric operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spiral locking is used, then locking force is strong, but unlocking and locking require constant loosening and tightening which is cumbersome to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking force generation function from the transmission rod and assigns it to the elastic component. The transmission rod only needs to transmit small unlocking forces, while the elastic component independently provides the locking force, resolving the contradiction between strong locking force and easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic component automatically generates locking force without requiring continuous user input. Once the transmission rod moves the locking component to the locked position, the elastic component self-generates the locking force, eliminating the need for constant loosening and tightening operations.
2Ease of operation
If pull buckle locking is used, then operation is simple, but locking force cannot be adjusted and decreases rapidly due to severe wear after long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the locking force dynamic and adjustable by allowing the user to control the transmission rod to move the locking component to different positions along the foot tube, thereby adjusting the locking force according to different load requirements, while maintaining simple operation through the elastic component's automatic locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the locking force generation function from the transmission mechanism. The elastic component provides the locking force independently of the transmission rod, reducing wear on the transmission components and maintaining reliability over long-term use while keeping operation simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single foot tube is locked or unlocked at a time, then each supporting leg can be adjusted separately, but it is inconvenient to operate and takes a long time to adjust multiple legs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent locking mechanisms into a unified system through the transmission rod that can simultaneously control multiple locking components across different supporting legs. This allows one operational input to lock or unlock multiple legs simultaneously, reducing adjustment time while maintaining the ability to adjust individual legs.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission rod serves multiple functions: it can selectively engage with different locking components on different supporting legs, allowing a single component to control multiple legs individually or simultaneously, providing both individual adjustment capability and efficient multi-leg operation.
4Strength
If lever locking with transmission rod is used, then locking force is strong, but huge operating torque is required making it difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking force generation function from the transmission rod and assigns it to the elastic component. The transmission rod only needs to transmit small forces to move the locking component to the locked position, eliminating the need for huge operating torque while maintaining strong locking force through the elastic component's independent force generation.
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 enables simple, convenient, and efficient adjustment of tripod legs with reduced operational effort, allowing single-handed operation and simultaneous control of multiple legs, enhancing user convenience and reducing mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
elastic force of an elastic component makes the locking assembly self-locking
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the technical field of photographic apparatuses, and in particular, to a locking assembly, a driving-type locking mechanism, a telescopic supporting leg, and a tripod. The locking assembly includes a fixing base and a rotating shaft member, an abutting component is fixedly sleeved on a periphery of the rotating shaft member, and an elastic component and a movable component are disposed on the periphery of the rotating shaft member. The driving-type locking mechanism includes a driving component and the locking assembly. The telescopic supporting leg includes the driving-type locking mechanism, an upper sleeve, and a lower sleeve. The tripod includes a tripod base, an operating component, and three telescopic supporting legs. According to the present invention, a transmission member is not needed to provide locking force or locking torque for the locking assembly.