Tripod Bracket Key Mechanism for One-Press Leg Unfolding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional auxiliary photographing devices require users to use one hand to press a key and the other hand to remove supporting legs, leading to an inconvenient user experience during unfolding.

Innovation Solution

A bracket with a key that moves along the axial direction of the main rod, disengaging clamping members when pressed, and an elastic portion that elastically presses against the legs to automatically unfold them upon key activation, eliminating the need for manual leg removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a key with clamping members is used to lock the supporting legs, then the legs can be securely locked when gathered up, but the unfolding operation becomes complex requiring multiple hands to press the key and remove the legs simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidunfolding convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic portion is pre-loaded during the gathering operation to store elastic potential energy. When the key is triggered, this pre-stored energy automatically propels the legs outward, eliminating the need for manual removal. The preliminary action of storing elastic energy during gathering resolves the contradiction by automating the unfolding process while maintaining secure locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the gathering operation itself to charge the elastic portion, which then automatically performs the unfolding function. The mechanism serves itself by using the energy from the gathering action to power the unfolding action, eliminating the need for separate manual operations and improving ease of use while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the supporting legs are manually removed during unfolding, then the legs can be deployed, but the operation requires clamping the device with upper arms and using both hands, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleg deployment easeVSAvoidunfolding speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical operation of removing legs with hands is replaced by an elastic mechanical system. The elastic portion automatically propels the legs outward when the key is triggered, substituting the need for manual hand operations with an automated elastic propulsion mechanism, thereby improving both ease of operation and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The unfolding operation is transformed into a rapid periodic action driven by elastic energy release. Instead of slow manual removal, the elastic portion provides a quick, forceful propulsion that rapidly deploys the legs, significantly increasing the speed and productivity of the unfolding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If the key is fixed on the main rod, then the structure is simple, but the clamping members cannot be disengaged to allow leg unfolding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey structure simplicityVSAvoidclamping member disengagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The key is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one that can slide along the main rod. This dynamic design allows the key to be triggered and move, thereby disengaging the clamping members from the legs. The dynamic key structure maintains relative simplicity while enabling the necessary disengagement function for leg unfolding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for convenient and efficient unfolding of supporting legs by pressing the key alone, reducing the complexity of operation and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic portion arranged on the main rod and elastically pressed against a side of each of the plurality of legs that faces the main rod when the plurality of legs is gathered up

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4592578A1Bracket and auxiliary photographing device thereof
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 WELLPA PRECISION MOLD
  • EP4592578A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4592578A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4592578A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bracket and an auxiliary photographing device thereof are provided. The bracket includes a main rod, a key installed in a bottom of the main rod, an elastic portion installed on the main rod, and a plurality of legs rotatably connected to the main rod; a first clamping member formed at a side of each of the plurality of legs that faces the main rod, a second clamping member formed at a portion of the key facing each leg and engaged with the first clamping member, the elastic portion elastically pressed against a side of each of the plurality of legs that faces the main rod when the plurality of legs is gathered up together. The key is pressed to drive the second clamping member to move, to cause the first clamping member being detachable from the second clamping member, so that the elastic portion is no longer constrained by the first and second clamping members.