Exterior Cover Attachment Structure With Multi-Point Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional attachment structures of exterior covers for apparatuses are prone to disconnection from the apparatus main body.
Innovation Solution
The exterior cover design incorporates lateral side protrusion portions and up/down top protrusion portions that are inserted into corresponding through holes in the side and top frames, with locking mechanisms to ensure secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the exterior cover uses a simple side protrusion and side recess structure for attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to disconnection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is divided into multiple independent locking points: side protrusions inserted into side recesses, and top protrusions inserted into top recesses. This segmentation distributes the attachment function across multiple locations, making assembly simple while preventing disconnection through redundant locking points.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portions are inserted into and nested within the recess portions at both side and top locations. This nesting structure creates interlocking joints that are easy to assemble by simple insertion while providing reliable mechanical interlocking that prevents the exterior cover from detaching.
2Reliability
If the exterior cover uses multiple protrusion and recess structures, then the reliability is improved by preventing disconnection, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into modular side and top attachment units, each with matching protrusion and recess features. This modular segmentation allows the use of simple geometric shapes repeated at different locations, achieving reliable multi-point attachment without requiring complex individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The side and top attachment structures use homogeneous design elements: protrusion portions with recess portions at side walls, and protrusion portions with recess portions at top walls. This homogeneous repetition of simple interlocking geometries provides reliable attachment while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
In each of side portions of an apparatus main body which are opposite each other, one of a side wall and a side frame which are opposite each other includes a side protrusion portion which protrudes laterally. The other of the side wall and the side frame which are opposite each other includes a side through hole which penetrates laterally and into which the side protrusion portion is inserted. One of a top wall and a top frame includes a top protrusion portion which protrudes in an up/down direction. The other of the top wall and the top frame includes a top through hole which penetrates in the up/down direction and into which the top protrusion portion is inserted. The top protrusion portion is locked to the periphery of the top through hole.