Fork for an operating element in an air outlet, operating element for an air outlet, and method for fastening an operating element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air outlet operating elements face issues with plastic deformation during mounting, leading to reduced misuse force absorption, noise, and risk of unintentional detachment due to high mounting forces and material prestress changes.
Innovation Solution
A fork with compressible spring arms between bearing journals, allowing for elastic prestressing and targeted force distribution to prevent plastic deformation and ensure play-free mounting, while the spring arms' stops limit deformation and secure the fork's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the fork is mounted rigidly into the operating part, then the structural stability is improved, but the mounting forces become excessively high causing plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the fork from rigid to elastic by introducing a spring element, allowing the fork to deform elastically during mounting and operation. This eliminates plastic deformation while maintaining structural stability through the spring's restoring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The fork transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic elastic structure that can adapt its stiffness during mounting and operation. The spring element allows the fork to flex during installation and return to its original position, absorbing mounting forces without permanent deformation.
2Strength
If the bearing overlaps are reduced to minimize mounting forces, then the plastic deformation is reduced, but the force absorption capability and detachment risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the fork from rigid to elastic by introducing a spring element, allowing the fork to deform elastically during mounting and operation. This eliminates plastic deformation while maintaining structural stability through the spring's restoring force.
3Strength
If the fork and operating part are made very stable with rigid configuration, then the misuse force absorption is improved, but the mounting forces become excessively high causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The fork transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic elastic structure that can adapt its stiffness during mounting and operation. The spring element allows the fork to flex during installation and return to its original position, absorbing mounting forces without permanent deformation.
4Stability of the object's composition
If high mounting forces are applied to ensure secure fastening, then the initial mounting stability is improved, but the components move freely after mounting due to prestress loss
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-compressed during mounting to store elastic energy, creating an initial prestress that secures the fork in place. This preliminary action ensures both secure mounting and continued operational stability without requiring excessively high mounting forces.
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 fork can absorb high misuse forces without plastic deformation, reduces noise, and ensures secure mounting and operation by utilizing the spring arms' elastic properties to maintain prestress and prevent relative movement between components.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one spring arm is compressible to reduce the spacing between the first and second ends
Implementation Method 2
The at least one spring arm is compressible to reduce the spacing between the first and second ends
Data Source
AI summary
A fork (10) for an operating element in an air outlet has a first bearing journal (14) at a first end (12) and a second bearing journal (18) at a second end (16). At least one spring arm (22, 24) is provided between the first bearing journal (14) and the second bearing journal (18), it being possible for the spacing of the outer ends (12, 16) of the bearing journals (14, 18) to be reduced by way of said at least one spring arm (22, 24). Furthermore, an operating element and a method for fastening an operating element are provided.