Container Fastening System with Spring-Loaded Rocker Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for attaching and detaching containers from carriers, such as luggage carriers, are cumbersome, requiring precise alignment and two-handed operation, especially when the container is heavy, and are difficult to handle due to the need to lift and unlock simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A fastening, fixing, and locking system featuring a lower guide element and two upper receiving elements with spring-loaded rocker arms, allowing for easy attachment and detachment by tilting and swiveling, with mushroom-shaped fasteners that engage and secure the container on the carrier, enabling one-handed operation and secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional hooks or rails are used to attach containers to carriers, then the attachment can be achieved, but the system requires very large, stable hooks or hooks with large deflections, increasing device complexity and size
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into multiple receiving elements distributed across the container surface, each capable of independent engagement with fastening elements on the carrier. This segmentation allows the use of smaller, simpler receiving elements rather than requiring large hooks or rails, while maintaining overall attachment strength through the distributed arrangement of multiple engagement points
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving elements are designed to engage fastening elements not only in vertical hanging but also in lateral and diagonal directions. This multi-dimensional engagement capability allows the system to achieve strong attachment without requiring large deflection hooks, as the geometric arrangement of multiple receiving elements in different orientations provides stability and strength
2Reliability
If multiple attachment points are used on the bag, then secure attachment is achieved, but the user must hold the bag precisely over several points when hanging it, making handling difficult especially when the bag is heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving elements are designed to automatically engage with fastening elements on the carrier without requiring precise manual alignment. When the container is brought near the carrier, gravity and the geometric arrangement of the receiving elements cause them to naturally settle into engagement with the fastening elements, eliminating the need for the user to manually position multiple attachment points
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving elements are pre-configured in specific positions and orientations on the container surface, and the fastening elements on the carrier are similarly pre-positioned. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the container is brought into proximity with the carrier, the engagement points are already aligned, allowing automatic engagement without requiring the user to manually align multiple points
3Reliability
If traditional fastening methods are used, then containers can be attached to carriers, but removing the bag requires lifting it at least in height to allow mushroom-shaped fastening elements to leave the grooves, making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving elements incorporate movable components such as spring-loaded rockers or pivoting mechanisms that allow dynamic engagement and disengagement. During removal, these movable parts can pivot or retract to disengage from the fastening elements without requiring the container to be lifted, as the mechanical design allows for horizontal or minimal-movement release
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary release mechanisms such as cables, levers, or buttons that are connected to the receiving elements. By actuating these intermediaries, the receiving elements are triggered to disengage from the fastening elements, allowing removal without lifting the container. The intermediary translates a small user input motion into the larger motion needed to release the attachment
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 easier handling and secure attachment of containers by allowing tilting and swiveling for engagement with the carrier, reducing the need for precise alignment and two-handed operation, and enabling easy removal without lifting, improving user comfort and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
each receiving element with ei equipped with a spring-loaded rocker arm that is rotatably mounted about an axis and one end of the rocker arm protrudes in the direction of the upper edge of the bag or container and the other, oriented in one direction, bevelled end protrudes into the guide groove with a projection of the receiving element and against the spring force by means of a push-through Mushroom-shaped fasteners, is movable in one direction only
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Attachment, fastening and/or locking system for containers on an attachment device, in particular on a carrier such as a luggage carrier on which attachment points are attached and/or can be positioned, which correspond with receiving elements arranged on a bag or a container and detachably fasten the bag or the container to the carrier in a defined position by means of at least one lower guide element attached on the rear side of the bag or container and by means of two upper receiving elements attached to the rear side of the bag or container, wherein the two receiving elements (3, 4) attached in the upper region to the rear side (1) of the bag or container are arranged along a circular path and are designed with a substantially continuous guide groove (15), following the circular path, comprising a projection for receiving a mushroom-shaped fastening means, which is arranged on the luggage carrier. Each receiving element is equipped with a spring-loaded tilting lever mounted for rotation about an axis and one end of each tilting lever extends in the direction of the top edge of the bag or container and the other bevelled end oriented in one direction extends into the guide groove with the projection of the receiving element and can be displaced only in one direction against the spring force by means of a mushroom-shaped attachment means that can be pushed through..