Universal Joint Lampholder Single Tightener Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light fixtures with adjustable arms often require multiple couplings for full movement, but this increases complexity and can limit degrees of freedom, while fixtures with fewer couplings sacrifice movement for simplicity.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture design featuring a joint housing with two orthogonal coupling apertures and a tightening mechanism that applies pressure through a clamp arm to both couplings, allowing for adjustable positioning with a single tightening point, thereby enabling full rotational control of the light bulb in multiple axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple couplings are used to allow full movement and adjustment of the light bulb, then the degrees of freedom for positioning are improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple separate tightening mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling mechanisms into a single integrated coupling structure. The universal joint contains both a first coupling for radial rotation and a second coupling for axial rotation, both controlled by one tightening member instead of requiring separate tightening mechanisms for each coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The single tightening member performs multiple functions: it simultaneously controls both the first coupling (radial rotation) and the second coupling (axial rotation). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate tightening mechanisms while maintaining full positioning freedom.
2Device complexity
If the number of couplings is reduced to simplify the device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the degrees of freedom for positioning the light bulb are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate couplings into one universal joint structure that provides both radial and axial rotation capabilities, maintaining full positioning freedom while reducing the number of discrete coupling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint enables dynamic positioning in multiple directions through a single coupling mechanism. The first coupling allows radial rotation while the second coupling allows axial rotation, providing adaptive positioning freedom without requiring multiple fixed couplings.
3Reliability
If multiple separate tightening mechanisms are used for each coupling, then precise locking of each coupling is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple adjustment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tightening mechanisms into a single tightening member that simultaneously controls both couplings. This allows the user to achieve precise locking of both the radial and axial rotations with one adjustment action instead of multiple separate adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
While using a single tightening member, the patent segments the locking function into two independent coupling mechanisms (first coupling for radial rotation, second coupling for axial rotation) that are both controlled by the same tightening action, ensuring precise locking in multiple directions simultaneously.
4Device complexity
If a single coupling is used to reduce the number of elements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the movement flexibility is limited due to omitted second coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functionality of two separate couplings (radial rotation coupling and axial rotation coupling) into a single universal joint structure, maintaining movement flexibility while reducing the number of discrete elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint provides dynamic movement flexibility through a single coupling structure that enables both radial and axial rotations. This dynamic capability replaces what would otherwise require two separate fixed couplings, maintaining adaptability while simplifying the overall 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
This design allows for precise adjustment and locking of light direction with a single tightening mechanism, enhancing movement flexibility and simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
tightening the tightening member applies pressure from the first friction plate to the first protrusion while simultaneously applying pressure from the second friction plate to the second protrusion, thereby limiting rotation in both the first and second axes
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture allowing a user to tighten a single tightener to simultaneously restrict movement around a first axis and a second orthogonal axis. The light fixture includes a joint housing coupled between an anchor and a light housing assembly, the anchor has a first protrusion rotatably coupled to the joint housing along a first axis, the light housing assembly has a second protrusion rotatably coupled to the joint housing along a second axis, a clamp arm inside the joint housing that has a first end clamp and a second end clamp, and a tightening member is operably coupled to the clamp arm through the joint housing allowing tightening of the tightening member to apply pressure from the first end clamp to the first protrusion and simultaneously apply pressure from the second end clamp to the second protrusion, thereby limiting rotation in both the first and second axes.