Attaching/detaching device and hinge device using same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting and dismounting devices for toilet seats/lids require cumbersome two-handed operation to unlock and remove the seat/lid from the toilet bowl, making cleaning and maintenance difficult.

Innovation Solution

A mounting and dismounting device with a shaft, housing, and rotating member that allows single-handed operation by using guide grooves and elastic members to engage and disengage the seat/lid, enabling easy mounting and removal by pressing against the seat/lid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressing member with spring member is used to engage the holding member with the pin groove, then the mounting and dismounting device achieves reliable locking, but the operation becomes cumbersome requiring simultaneous two-handed operation to push the pressing member against the spring force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional operation logic by making the locking action automatic through gravity and elastic force, while the unlocking action requires only minimal manual intervention. The holding member automatically engages the pin groove when the shaft is inserted, and a simple pressing operation on the exposed pressing member surface releases the lock, reversing the complexity from locking to unlocking operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting and dismounting device achieves self-service in the locking process where the holding member automatically engages with the pin groove through elastic force from the spring member when the shaft is inserted, without requiring manual operation. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion to trigger the automatic locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of repair

If the pressing member is designed to be pressed against the spring member for unlocking, then the locking mechanism can be released, but the operation requires inserting hand inside the toilet seat/lid unit and simultaneously operating two hinge devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of seat removalVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the pressing member from the internal structure and makes it accessible from the external surface of the toilet seat/lid unit. The pressing member is positioned to be pressable from the outside without requiring hand insertion inside the unit, separating the unlocking function from the internal structure and making it externally accessible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational dimension from internal to external by positioning the pressing member on the external surface of the toilet seat/lid unit. Instead of requiring internal access, the user can operate the pressing member from the outside, adding a new dimensional approach to the unlocking operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the shaft has a fixing groove and the holding member engages with it, then the connection between toilet seat/lid and bowl is secure, but the disconnection requires complex unlocking operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddisconnection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the operational complexity by making the strong connection automatic through the holding member engaging the fixing groove, while the disconnection becomes simpler through the externally accessible pressing member that releases the engagement with minimal force required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Facilitates easy mounting and dismounting of toilet seats/lids without the need for simultaneous two-handed operation, simplifying cleaning and maintenance, and can be applied to other detachable object configurations.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member which biases the linear movement member and the rotating member toward the side of the fixed member fixed to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3305152B1Attaching/detaching device and hinge device using same
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 TOK BEARING CO LTD
  • EP3305152B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3305152B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3305152B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

Provided are a mounting and dismounting device capable of easily mounting and dismounting an object on one side on and from an object on the other side without performing a cumbersome and difficult operation, and a hinge device using the mounting and dismounting device. In the present invention, mounting and removal of a toilet seat/toilet lid unit 2 on and from a toilet bowl 3 are performed by gripping the toilet seat/toilet lid unit 2, inserting the other end of a shaft 11 mounted on the toilet seat/toilet lid unit 2 into a first insertion opening 12a of a stationary core 12 fixed to a housing 16 mounted on the toilet bowl 3, and pressing the toilet seat/toilet lid unit 2 against the toilet bowl 3. Insertion and extraction of the shaft 11 into and from the housing 16 are performed by sliding sliders 14 in a direction orthogonal to an insertion direction of the shaft 11 and performing locking by causing a fixing groove 11a1 of the shaft 11 and embracing portions 14a of the sliders 14 to be engaged with each other, or performing unlocking by releasing the engagement between the fixing groove 11a1 and the embracing portions 14a.