Flush Cover with Card-Actuated U-Slider Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for closing and opening technical openings, such as those for meters and valves, often require special tools, are structurally complex, or prone to damage due to protrusions and catching elements, and may require cards or tools for operation.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic surface cover with a card slot and 'U'-shaped sliders connected to a locking rod, where the card initiates movement by pushing the slider and spring mechanism, allowing tool-free operation without protrusions or hollows, and with structural elements on the inner side for locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are used to secure the cover plate to the frame, then the cover plate can be firmly fixed, but the opening and closing operation becomes tedious and may damage the cover plate
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into a cover plate with catching elements and a frame with corresponding receptacles, allowing the cover to be secured through simple engagement rather than screw fastening. This segmentation enables tool-free operation while maintaining firm fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The catching elements on the cover plate are designed to dynamically engage with the frame's receptacles during opening and closing operations. The catching elements can be flexibly stored in the storage part of the frame, providing a dynamic locking system that requires no tools for operation.
2Reliability
If the cover plate has protruding control elements and selvedge, then the locking mechanism can be implemented, but the cover plate significantly protrudes above the surrounding surface
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having control elements protrude from the front surface of the cover plate, the catching elements are positioned on the inner side or edge of the cover plate. The locking interaction occurs between the cover plate's catching elements and the frame's receptacles, eliminating the need for front-surface protrusions and maintaining a flush appearance.
3Reliability
If special tools are required to operate the cover, then secure locking can be achieved, but the operation becomes complex and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate's catching elements serve as the operating mechanism itself. When the cover plate is moved during opening and closing, the catching elements automatically engage with or disengage from the frame's receptacles without requiring external tools. This self-service mechanism maintains secure locking while simplifying operation.
4Ease of operation
If tiltable control components with catching elements are used, then tool-free opening is achieved, but the system becomes structurally demanding and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The complex tiltable control components are extracted and replaced with simple catching elements that are flexibly stored in the frame's storage part. These catching elements engage with corresponding features on the cover plate and frame, achieving tool-free operation through a much simpler structural arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex tiltable components throughout the system, the solution employs simple catching elements at specific locations where locking is needed. The catching elements are strategically positioned on the cover plate and in the frame to provide effective locking without requiring complex mechanisms anywhere in the system.
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
Enables tool-free opening and closing of technical openings without damage, using a simple and cost-effective mechanism that maintains structural integrity and avoids the need for special tools or cards.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism, allowing tool-free operation without protrusions or hollows
Implementation Method 2
The rod is pushed in the housing by pushing spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The constructional arrangement of the supporting frame and the cover of the technical opening in the wall or ceiling of the construction, where in the door of the cover there is formed an opening size adapted for inserting credit cards or similar document. On the inner side of the door on both sides of the opening for the card there is positioned at least one rider with the advantage in the shape of the letter "U" connected to the locking rod when for the locking rod there is in the internal segment of the frame located a housing, in which there is inserted part of the locking rod in position "closed". The rod is pushed in the housing by pushing spring.