Coupling Lever Connection Mechanism for Compact Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connecting devices with coupling levers require significant space and have unreliable locking mechanisms, especially in limited electronic component installations, where the coupling lever's length and movable mounting can lead to incomplete connections and detachment risks during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a coupling lever that undergoes a two-part adjustment movement, first securing the components in a defined position to prevent detachment and then rotating to achieve a firm connection, utilizing a combination of translational and rotational movements to minimize space usage and ensure reliable locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional coupling lever is used to connect two components, then the components can be firmly connected, but the coupling lever requires significant space and cannot be used in limited installation areas
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling lever's movement path is segmented into two distinct phases: a first partial adjustment movement that secures components in a defined position, and a second partial adjustment movement that achieves the final firm connection. This segmentation allows the lever to function reliably while reducing the overall space required by optimizing each movement phase independently
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling lever utilizes a combination of translational and rotational movements in different dimensions to achieve connection. The lever moves translationally along a restricted path and then rotates about a pivot point, using multi-dimensional movement to accomplish the connection function within limited space
2Ease of operation
If the coupling lever is freely movably mounted on one component, then the lever can be actuated easily, but the lever can assume any state during transport or assembly and may prevent proper connection
Solution Approach 1:
Before the coupling lever is actuated to make the connection, the components are first brought into a preliminary defined position by the first partial adjustment movement. This preliminary positioning ensures that subsequent actuation of the lever will result in reliable connection, preventing the lever from assuming incorrect states during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling lever system provides positional feedback through its constrained movement path and pivot point mechanism. The lever can only occupy specific positions during its adjustment movements, providing inherent feedback that ensures proper connection state and prevents incorrect positioning during transport or assembly
3Area of stationary object
If the coupling lever is made short to save space, then installation space is reduced, but the leverage effect is reduced and more force is required for connection
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling lever system dynamically transitions between two movement modes: a restricted translational movement phase and a rotational movement phase about a pivot point. This dynamic behavior allows the lever to maintain effective leverage during the rotational phase while minimizing space requirements during the translational phase, optimizing both force efficiency and compactness
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 solution provides a compact, reliable, and space-efficient connection mechanism that securely locks components together with minimal force, preventing detachment during assembly and ensuring a stable fixed state with clear positional feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The use of the coupling lever also has the advantage that, due to the leverage effect, only small forces have to be applied for a firm connection of the components
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
The device (11) has components (13, 15) rigidly connected to each other in a fixed state and loosely connected to each other in a loose state. The components are transferred from the loose state to a safety state in which the components are prevented from being released from each other by adjusting movement of a coupling lever (17) out of an open position into a safety position, where a position of the components in the safety state does not differ from a position of the components in the loose state, and the adjusting movement of the coupling lever is a translational movement.