Fork-Shaped Plug Cover Connection with Trapezoidal Indentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in connections for cover panels in device installation trunking are easily connected but difficult to separate, leading to potential damage and increased assembly and disassembly complexity, which affects the ease of use and cost.
Innovation Solution
A fork-shaped male plug with trapezoidal cross-section and a complementary female indentation with beveled surfaces and projections, allowing for easy connection and effortless release by slight lifting and angling, reducing the risk of damage and facilitating user-friendly assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stronger fasteners are used to guarantee a stronger connection, then connection strength increases, but assembly and disassembly complexity increases and price increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate male and female connecting elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for a simple yet effective cam-based locking mechanism that provides strong connection without requiring complex multi-component fasteners, thereby maintaining low complexity while achieving high strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-shaped connecting elements provide dynamic locking that achieves strong connection through geometric interlocking rather than complex mechanical fasteners. The cam mechanism naturally provides holding force during normal use while allowing easy release, eliminating the need for complicated multi-part fastening systems.
2Reliability
If the connection requires certain additional manipulations or interventions for separation, then connection reliability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam-shaped design creates a dynamic connection that is inherently reliable during normal use but allows simple disassembly through a specific motion (slight lifting and angling). The cam mechanism maintains secure locking under normal conditions while the geometric design naturally guides the release motion, making disassembly easy without requiring additional tools or complex procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a plug connection for cover plates, in particular for device installation channels, which is characterized in that the male connecting element is designed as a plug (20) with a fork-shaped end (21) and with two ribs (22, 22'), which cooperates positively with a complementary female connecting element, which is designed as a positive-locking indentation (30) formed at the edge, wherein the indentation (30) has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section and a horizontal bearing surface and is bounded along its depth by two laterally beveled walls (33, 33'), the free ends of which have two flat vertical surfaces (35, 35') which cooperate with two projections (24, 24') at the free end of the two ribs (22, 22') of the plug (20) to lock it in the indentation (30).In the area of the beveled contact surface at the outer free edge, there is an enlarged opening which further facilitates the insertion of the plug (20) into the indentation (30).