Universal Joint Assembly With Internal Ball-Shaft Anti-Theft Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional universal joint assemblies lack an anti-theft mechanism, allowing electronic products mounted on them to be easily removed along with the ball shaft.
Innovation Solution
A universal joint assembly design featuring a base with internal clamping members and a locking member that secures the ball shaft from the inside, preventing removal by utilizing an accommodating groove, clamping portions, and an internal thread system to clamp the ball shaft securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the locking member is disposed on the outer side of the base, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electronic product can be removed together with the ball shaft, resulting in no anti-theft effect
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is inverted from the conventional outer-side disposition to an inner-side disposition, entering the accommodating groove through the first opening to press the ball shaft and bearing portion from inside the base. This inversion prevents the ball shaft from being removed from the outside, achieving the anti-theft effect while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is nested inside the base structure, entering through the first opening and positioning itself within the accommodating groove. The clamping members are also nested inside the accommodating groove, creating a layered nested structure that secures the ball shaft internally without adding external components
2Device complexity
If the locking member presses the ball shaft from the outside, then the structure is simple, but the ball shaft can still be removed from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing direction of the locking member is inverted from outside-to-inside to inside-to-outside. The locking member enters the accommodating groove through the first opening and presses the ball shaft and bearing portion from within the base, preventing external removal of the ball shaft while maintaining simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The base is segmented with a first opening and second opening, allowing the locking member to enter through the first opening while the clamping portions of the clamping members engage with the ball shaft near the second opening. This segmentation enables the anti-theft function without requiring a completely redesigned single-opening structure
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 design effectively prevents the removal of the ball shaft from the outside, thereby providing an anti-theft effect by securely fixing the ball shaft within the assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The locking member enters the accommodating groove through the first opening and presses the ball shaft and the bearing portion
Implementation Method 2
The two clamping members take a position where the fulcrum portion contacts the inner wall as a fulcrum, so that the clamping portion moves toward the ball shaft and clamps the ball shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
The application discloses a universal joint assembly (1). The universal joint assembly (1) includes a base (10), two clamping members (20), a ball shaft (30), and a locking member (40). The base (10) has an accommodating groove (13), a first opening (11) and a second opening (12) disposed opposite to the first opening (11). The clamping member (20) is disposed inside the accommodating groove (13). Each of the two clamping members (20) includes a bearing portion (21), a fulcrum portion (22), and a clamping portion (23). An adjustable space (S) exists between an outer side of the bearing portion (21) and an inner wall (131) of the accommodating groove (13). The locking member (40) presses the ball shaft (30) and the bearing portion (21). The clamping member (20) take a position where the fulcrum portion (22) contacts the inner wall (131) as a fulcrum, so that the clamping portion (23) moves toward the ball shaft (30) and clamps the ball shaft (30).