Frame, more particularly in the form of a tripod
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tripods are unstable and prone to tipping over, especially when used for outdoor applications like camping or barbecue, due to their design which often requires thick and heavy metal rods to prevent knocking over, leading to increased wear and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A tripod frame design featuring concave support surfaces adapted to the leg surfaces, allowing the legs to interlock and reduce surface pressure, with a central connection part that can be easily folded for compact storage, and optionally featuring metal inserts and disk springs for enhanced stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If thick-walled metal rods are used to prevent knocking over, then stability is improved, but weight and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spherical support surfaces at the connection nodes where legs meet the central block. These curved surfaces allow the legs to self-center and stabilize through geometric constraints rather than relying on thick-walled rods. The spherical geometry provides inherent stability while maintaining lightweight construction, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and weight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If thick-walled metal rods are used to prevent knocking over, then stability is improved, but wear increases due to higher material loading
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical support surfaces distribute loads more evenly across the connection points between legs and the central block. This curved geometry reduces stress concentrations that would otherwise occur at sharp corners or flat surfaces, thereby reducing wear on the metal rods while maintaining stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pins at rotation points are highly loaded to maintain stability, then stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical support surfaces simplify the connection geometry between legs and the central block, allowing for more straightforward manufacturing of the pins and connection points. The curved surfaces can be easily formed through casting or machining, reducing the need for complex assembly procedures and specialized components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If additional bracing is added to prevent knocking over, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical support surfaces provide inherent stability through their geometric properties, eliminating the need for additional bracing elements. The curved surfaces allow the legs to self-align and stabilize naturally, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving the desired stability without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
To create a stable and safe frame, more particularly in the form of a tripod, having a plurality of rod-like legs (2), which are fastened centrally to a connection part (3), wherein the frame (1) can be folded up into a space-saving transportation position, in which the legs are oriented substantially in parallel, and the frame can be folded out into a usage position, in which the legs are crossed, the invention proposes that at least one concavely rounded support surface (5) for providing support over an area of the leg surface is arranged between the legs (2), more particularly that two support surfaces (5, 5′) of this type are provided, which in the usage position are in contact with an area of the respective leg surface opposite one another.