Cord Lock with Integrated Spring Reducing Part Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cord locks require a minimum of four parts, including a case, lock member, spring, and spring receiving member, complicating assembly and increasing structural complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cord lock design featuring a female member with two openings and an insertion path, a male member with a fastening portion, and a spring member integrated with both, allowing for fastening and release by adjusting the male member's position within the insertion path, reducing the number of structural parts to three.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional cord lock design with four parts (case, lock member, spring, spring receiving member) is used, then the spring receiving member can be assembled to the case, but the number of structural parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring receiving member is merged with the case to form an integrated structure. The case now directly provides the spring receiving function through its internal cavity and spring receiving groove, eliminating the need for a separate spring receiving member. This reduces the total part count from four to three while maintaining all original functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural housing, contains the spring mechanism, and directly receives the spring through its integrated groove structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for each function.
2Reliability
If a traditional cord lock design with four parts is used, then the spring can be assembled between the case and lock member, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the spring receiving groove directly into the case structure, the spring positioning function is merged with the case. This eliminates the need for a separate spring receiving member and simplifies the assembly process to three parts while maintaining reliable spring positioning through the groove structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of structural parts is reduced to three, then assembly is simplified, but the functionality of the cord lock must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The spring receiving function is merged into the case structure through an integrated groove, eliminating the separate spring receiving member. This maintains all original fastening functions while reducing part count to three, simplifying assembly without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is designed as a multi-functional component that provides structural support, spring containment, and spring reception through its integrated groove. This ensures all original functions are maintained in the simplified three-part design.
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
The design minimizes structural parts while maintaining functionality, simplifying assembly and operation by using a spring member to store energy for fastening and releasing the cord lock.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member (3) between the female member (1) and the male member (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cord lock includes a female member having a first opening, a second opening, an insertion path for a string therebetween, and female-side fastening portions formed in the insertion path, a male member having one portion entering into the insertion path from a side of the first opening, and male-side fastening portions at the one portion adapted to be fastened to the string inserted to pass through the insertion path in cooperation with the female-side fastening portions, and a spring member interposed between the female member and the male member. The fastening relative to the string is released by a pulling operation of reducing an entering amount of the one portion of the male member into the insertion path. A first contact portion of the spring member is integrally formed with the female member, and a second contact portion of the spring member is integrally formed with the male member.