Cylindrical Coupling System with Quarter-Turn Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling systems for assembling components, such as those used in construction and furniture, often result in separate parts that are difficult to handle and transport due to their protruding nature, leading to potential loss and damage during disassembly and movement.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system featuring a male and female component with a cylindrical design, where the male component is inserted along a common longitudinal axis and retained by the female component through a quarter-turn rotation and complementary stop means, allowing for secure locking and easy release without tools, and can be folded flush with the object's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional separate coupling components (bolt and nut) are used, then the coupling system provides secure connection, but the components are difficult to handle and transport as they protrude and can fall off during disassembly and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the male and female coupling components into a single integrated unit where the male component is permanently retained within the female component through complementary stop means. This integration eliminates the problem of separate components falling off during transport while maintaining secure connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The male component is nested within the female component, with the male component's elongated body positioned inside the female component's inner bore. The nested structure allows the smaller male component to be contained within the larger female component, preventing separation while enabling easy handling as a single unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling system uses multiple separate parts, then it provides versatile assembly options, but the different parts are difficult to keep together and can be lost during disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the male and female components into an integrated assembly where the male component is retained within the female component, the system maintains assembly versatility while preventing component loss. The integrated design ensures all parts remain together during disassembly and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is segmented into functional zones: the male component with locking means for secure connection, and the female component with complementary stop means for retention. This functional segmentation maintains versatility while the integrated structure prevents loss.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling components protrude from the object surface, then they provide easy access for assembly operations, but they interfere with handling and can be broken during movement or transport
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system transitions from a static protruding structure to a dynamic reconfigurable assembly. The male component can be inserted and locked within the female component, allowing the system to adapt between protruding (for assembly) and flush (for transport) configurations, thereby reducing breakage risk while maintaining assembly accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration allows the male component to be housed within the female component, creating a flush-mounted assembly that protects the coupling elements from damage during transport while maintaining easy access for assembly operations when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coupling system (1) comprising at least one male component (2) and one female component (3), in which system the male component (2) is inserted into the female component (3) along a longitudinal axis that is common to the male (2) and female (3) components and is retained removably by the female component (3): - the male component (2) comprising an elongate body (4) of substantially cylindrical shape; - the female component (3) comprising an elongate body (5) of substantially cylindrical shape and having a longitudinal internal bore (12) of dimensions suited to the insertion and retention of the male component (2) and an open top end (18); - the male component (2) being inserted into the female component (3) through a movement of longitudinal displacement combined at the same time with a rotation by a quarter of a turn; - the male component (2) comprising means (7) for blocking rotation and displacement along a longitudinal axis, these means collaborating with complementary stop means (9) present in the female component (3).