Tubular Arm Return Mechanism Nesting for Barrier Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headlock type barriers for animal restraint have mechanisms for automatic return of the pendulum that are exposed and prone to damage, pose safety risks, and are sensitive to environmental conditions due to their elastomer materials.
Innovation Solution
A pendulum design with a return member housed inside the tubular arm, featuring a spiral spring and a stopping mechanism to ensure automatic return and protect the mechanism from external damage, using metallic materials for improved durability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the return mechanism is mounted externally between the vertical support and the swing arm, then the automatic return function is achieved, but the mechanism is exposed to damage and poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The return mechanism is nested inside the tubular swing arm, with the spiral spring housed within the hollow interior of the arm. This nesting approach protects the return mechanism from external damage while eliminating the need for separate mounting structures, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If elastomer materials are used for the return mechanism, then the automatic return function is achieved, but the mechanical properties are sensitive to temperature and UV radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastomer to metal (steel), which fundamentally alters the environmental resistance properties. Metal materials are not sensitive to temperature or UV radiation in the same way elastomers are, thereby improving reliability under environmental conditions while remaining manufacturable through standard metalworking processes.
3Ease of operation
If the return mechanism is exposed externally, then access is easy, but the mechanism is susceptible to damage by foreign objects and poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The return mechanism is nested inside the tubular swing arm, which acts as a protective enclosure. This nesting provides passive protection against foreign objects while maintaining ease of operation through the designed pivot movement of the arm itself, eliminating the need for separate access mechanisms.
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 enhances safety by preventing external damage and improving the lifespan of the return mechanism, while maintaining efficient automatic return functionality and resistance to environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
a return element in the form of a spiral spring (28) wound around a first transverse axis (Y1)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
A rocker arm (20) adapted for a feed barrier (10), the rocker arm (20) comprising a tubular arm (21) defining an extension axis (B), the tubular arm (21) being intended to pivot around a first transverse axis (Y1) relative to a fixed base (15); and a return member adapted to ensure a return of the tubular arm (21) to a first position (O) around the first transverse axis (Y1), characterized in that the return member is disposed inside the tubular arm (21).