Tripod Leg Snap-Fit Locking for Faster Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tripods with telescopic legs require repeated and cumbersome operations of locking and loosening multiple joints for positional adjustment, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A tripod with an angle snap-fit structure and expandable assembly that allows for quick angle adjustment and positional locking through a rotating member, control assembly, and expandable legs, eliminating the need for multiple joint operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional telescopic leg structure with multiple joints is used, then the tripod can achieve position locking and releasing, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inconvenient requiring repeated locking and loosening of multiple joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple joint locking functions into a single integrated locking mechanism. The locking component simultaneously engages with multiple joints through the transmission lever system, allowing one operation to lock all joints rather than requiring separate operations for each joint. This combining of functions directly resolves the contradiction by reducing operational steps while maintaining the multi-joint structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the single locking operation into simultaneous engagement of multiple joints. When the locking component moves, it drives the transmission lever which then engages or disengages multiple joints in unison. This intermediary mechanism allows the complex multi-joint system to be controlled through a simple single-action interface.
2Reliability
If multiple joints are used for telescopic leg adjustment, then the tripod can achieve stable position locking, but the operation time increases due to repeated locking and loosening operations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking component is pre-configured with multiple engagement surfaces that correspond to multiple joints. When the locking operation is initiated, all joints are engaged simultaneously through the pre-arranged transmission lever geometry, eliminating the need for sequential locking operations. This preliminary arrangement of the locking mechanism ensures that stability is achieved in a single action rather than through multiple steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the intermediate sequential locking steps by implementing a direct simultaneous engagement mechanism. The locking component, through its connection to the transmission lever, rushes through the locking process by engaging all joints at once rather than moving through each joint individually. This eliminates the time loss associated with repeated operations while maintaining reliable position locking.
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 tripod provides simple and efficient operation with aesthetically pleasing design by allowing quick angle and length adjustments through a snap-fit mechanism and expandable legs, enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
said angle control member is cooperatively snap-fitting with said angle snap-fit structure to lock a corresponding angle of rotation of said rotating member relative to said angle snap-fit structure
Implementation Method 2
said expandable assembly is capable of performing operations of an expansion and a contraction for position locking and releasing
Implementation Method 3
a friction spacer is provided on the outer wall of said expandable block
Implementation Method 4
the multiple expandable blocks are provided with elastic sleeves around a periphery of said expandable blocks
Implementation Method 5
said extrusion sleeve is used to extrude the expandable block to cause the expandable block to expand outwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A tripod, comprising angle snap-fit structures (32); rotating members (33), each of the rotating member (33) having one end rotatably connected to each angle snap-fit structure, and the other end connected to each support leg (1) of the tripod; angle control members (34) which are matched and snap-fitted with the angle snap-fit structures so as to lock the corresponding angle of the rotating members rotating relative to the angle snap-fit structures; support legs, each of the support legs comprising two or more leg sections (1a, 1b, 1c) and expandable assemblies (2) mounted on the second leg section (1b) and the third leg section (1c), wherein each leg section can axially move relative to one or more of other leg sections, and the expandable assemblies can perform position locking and position releasing by means of expansion and contraction. The structure can implement quick adjustment of the angle and length of the support legs.