Dovetail Connection Pin Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dovetail connections with leaf spring locking mechanisms can result in jamming and hinder sliding due to incomplete locking against further engagement, and require significant force for locking and unlocking, making them unreliable and difficult to break.
Innovation Solution
A dovetail connection utilizing a pin and hole configuration, where the pin moves perpendicularly to the sliding plane to lock and unlock, preventing both sliding apart and further engagement, with a spring-assisted mechanism for easy operation and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a leaf spring locking mechanism is used, then the dovetail connection can be locked against sliding apart, but it does not prevent further mutual engagement, resulting in jamming and difficulty to break the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into two independent actions: the leaf spring prevents sliding apart, while the pin-hole mechanism prevents further engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific locking function without interfering with the other, preventing jamming while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the dovetail profiles and the locking mechanism. By engaging with the pin, the connection is locked in a controlled manner that prevents both sliding apart and further engagement, while still allowing for easy release when needed.
2Reliability
If a leaf spring locking mechanism is used, then the dovetail connection can be locked, but it impedes sliding of the male part into the female part
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring is pre-configured in a relaxed state that allows free sliding of the male part into the female part. Only when the dovetail profiles are fully engaged does the leaf spring activate to engage the pin with the hole, providing locking action only when needed and not impeding the sliding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static, always-engaged state to a dynamic state where the leaf spring and pin only engage after the dovetail profiles are properly aligned. This dynamic behavior allows smooth sliding during engagement while providing reliable locking only when the connection is properly formed.
3Reliability
If elastic deformation is used for locking (as in US 2 793 407), then the dovetail parts can be locked together, but it requires relatively great force during locking and unlocking, making the connection very vulnerable
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic deformation mechanism is replaced with a mechanical pin-hole engagement system. Instead of relying on elastic forces that require great strength, the connection uses a geometric locking mechanism where the pin fits into the hole, providing secure locking with minimal force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism changes from relying on material elastic properties to relying on geometric fit and mechanical engagement. By changing the fundamental parameter from elastic deformation to mechanical interlocking, the system achieves reliable locking without requiring high forces, thereby reducing vulnerability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a dovetail connection for releasably connecting two construction elements (6, 20), particularly without mutually connecting the construction elements by means of for instance bolts. The dovetail connection according to the invention comprises a female part (13) and a male part (1) which are each mountable on one of the construction elements and which are both provided with dovetail profiles (2, 3, 14, 15) which can mutually engage with a sliding movement for the purpose of forming the dovetail connection and which taper in the sliding direction. The dovetail connection according to the invention is also provided with locking means (8, 9, 18, 19) for locking the connection against movement in the sliding direction in the mutually engaged position.