Bowden Cable Length Adjustment Device with Nested Locking Clip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bowden cable conduit length adjustment devices often unintentionally lock during shipping or mounting, rendering them unusable due to manufacturing and handling tolerances, leading to defective products.
Innovation Solution
A conduit length adjustment device with a female body and a movable male body, featuring a U-shaped locking clip that is arranged within the female body's locking clip opening, preventing accidental locking by ensuring the clip cannot be moved to the locked position without intentional force, and is designed to counteract unintentional forces applied during shipping and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking clip protrudes above the element to prevent accidental locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the risk of accidental pushing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking clip is nested within a recess of the element, with the locking surface positioned below the outer surface of the element. This nesting arrangement protects the locking clip from accidental external forces while maintaining its locking function, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by integrating the locking mechanism into the element's structure rather than adding protruding components
2Reliability
If the locking clip is fixed to the main body to prevent loss during shipping, then the loss prevention is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to accidental locking
Solution Approach 1:
The locking clip is nested within a recess of the element, allowing it to be securely held during shipping without protruding externally. The recess provides physical containment that prevents loss while the positioning of the locking surface below the outer surface prevents accidental engagement, thus maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The recess structure preliminarily prevents accidental locking by positioning the locking surface below the outer surface of the element. This preliminary protective arrangement counteracts potential accidental forces before they can cause unwanted locking, while still allowing intentional locking when needed
3Productivity
If multiple adjustment assemblies are densely packed in one box for shipping, then the shipping efficiency is improved, but the risk of accidental locking increases due to applied forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking clip is nested within a recess with its locking surface positioned below the outer surface of the element. This nested configuration provides internal protection that isolates the locking mechanism from external forces during dense packing and shipping, maintaining locking stability while enabling efficient shipping arrangements
4Ease of operation
If the locking clip can be easily pushed inside by accidental force, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unintentional locking
Solution Approach 1:
The recess structure with the locking surface positioned below the outer surface preliminarily counteracts accidental forces. This preliminary protective design prevents unintentional locking while still allowing intentional locking operations, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and locking stability
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a conduit length adjustment device (100) comprising a female body (110) comprising a locking clip opening (160), a male body (120), movably arranged within the female body (110), a locking clip (130), arranged within the locking clip opening (160) wherein the locking clip (130) is movable from an open position to a locked position for locking the male body (120) with respect to the female body (110), wherein the locking clip (130) is arranged within the locking clip opening (160) such that it cannot be moved to the locked position accidentally.