Actuation Device Housing Connection Using Perpendicular Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for connecting rod fittings require complex and costly production methods for connecting housing parts, often involving snap-in connections and hooks that are sensitive to orientation and difficult to assemble, leading to instability and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with recesses and connecting elements that allow for a simple, secure, and cost-effective connection of housing parts using a pin or sheet metal connecting elements, where the connecting element is inserted perpendicularly to the drive rod direction, providing a stable and irreversible connection without snap-in hooks, and additional features like locking projections and centering lugs for enhanced stability and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snap-in connections and hooks are used to connect housing parts, then the connection can be achieved, but the production becomes complex and costly, and the assembly is sensitive to orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into separate components: housing parts with recesses and connecting elements (pins). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes, eliminating the complexity of forming snap-in connections and hooks while maintaining reliable connection stability through the pin-based assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of forming complex connection elements (hooks/snap-ins) on the housing parts themselves, the invention inverts the approach by providing simple recesses in the housing parts and using separate, simple connecting elements (pins) to join them. This inversion simplifies both production and assembly while ensuring reliable connections.
2Ease of manufacture
If snap-in hooks are used for connecting housing parts, then connection is achieved, but assembly sensitivity to orientation increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element (pin) is designed with asymmetric features including a head on one end and a pointed tip on the other, creating a preferred insertion direction. This asymmetric design guides the assembly process and reduces orientation sensitivity by providing natural alignment cues, making assembly easier while maintaining production simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing parts are pre-formed with recesses that are ready to receive the connecting elements. This preliminary preparation of the housing parts simplifies the overall assembly process by eliminating the need to form connections during assembly, reducing orientation sensitivity, and making the operation easier while keeping production simple.
3Reliability
If complex latching elements are used to connect housing parts, then connection can be achieved, but production complexity increases and the elements are prone to breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are designed as simple, inexpensive pins that can be easily manufactured from common materials. These simple pins replace complex, expensive latching elements and are designed to be replaced if needed, providing reliable connections at low production cost without the fragility issues of complex resilient latching elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the connection function from complex integrated latching elements and separates it into simple connecting elements (pins) that work with recesses in the housing parts. This extraction simplifies the overall structure, reduces production complexity and cost, while maintaining reliable connection stability through the dedicated pin-recess interface.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The device (10) has a drive housing (12) with housing parts (12a, 12b), which are connected with each other. The housing parts are provided with connecting rod guides (14a, 14b) i.e. guide projections. Openings (30a, 30b) are formed at the housing parts and aligned with other openings (34a, 34b) of the housing parts in a connected condition of the housing parts. Connecting elements (26a, 26b) e.g. pins, are partially guided into the openings for fixing connection of the housing parts in a connected condition of the drive housing. The housing parts are identically designed and made of plastic.