Elastic Guide Coupler for Ornament Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional couplers for line-shaped ornaments require multiple small-sized parts, such as shafts and coil springs, which complicate assembly, increase time, and lead to higher costs and defective rates due to their complexity.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design that reduces the number of parts by integrating a guide with elasticity, allowing the male coupler to be inserted and locked within the female coupler using a simplified mechanism, eliminating the need for shafts and coil springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple small-sized parts (shafts, coil springs) are used in the coupler, then the locking and support functions are achieved, but the assembly time increases and the defective rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small parts (shaft, coil spring, and support structure) into a single integrated guide component. This guide includes a through-hole for shaft insertion, a recess for coil spring placement, and structural features for supporting the male coupler, thereby eliminating the need for separate assembly of these components and reducing assembly time while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The guide component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support for the male coupler, provides a through-hole for shaft insertion, contains a recess for coil spring placement, and contributes to the overall locking mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of parts needed in the coupler assembly
2Reliability
If multiple small-sized parts (shafts, coil springs) are used in the coupler, then the locking and support functions are achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small parts (shaft, coil spring, and support structure) into a single integrated guide component. This guide includes a through-hole for shaft insertion, a recess for coil spring placement, and structural features for supporting the male coupler, thereby eliminating the need for separate assembly of these components and reducing assembly time while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The guide component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support for the male coupler, provides a through-hole for shaft insertion, contains a recess for coil spring placement, and contributes to the overall locking mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of parts needed in the coupler assembly
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple small-sized parts (shafts, coil springs) are used in the coupler, then the locking and support functions are achieved, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small parts (shaft, coil spring, and support structure) into a single integrated guide component. This guide includes a through-hole for shaft insertion, a recess for coil spring placement, and structural features for supporting the male coupler, thereby eliminating the need for separate assembly of these components and reducing assembly time while maintaining functionality
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
This design shortens assembly time, reduces weight, enhances weight balance, and decreases the likelihood of defects, resulting in a more efficient and reliable coupler system for ornaments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the walls having elasticity, the at least one of the walls being able to move towards and away from the other of the walls
Data Source
AI summary
The coupler includes a male coupler formed with an annular groove, and a female coupler into which the male coupler is detachably inserted. The female coupler includes a first body part downwardly open, a second body part upwardly open, being rotatably connected with the first body part, and defining a hollow space together with the first body part, and a guide housed in the space, and supporting the male coupler inserted into the female coupler. The guide is composed of a material having elasticity, and exerts an elastic force on the first body part and the second body part such that they are closed to each other.