Gourd-Shaped Holed Locking Assembly for Easy Snap Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holed-components in snap-fit assemblies often require tight insertion or removal, leading to user experience issues and potential component breakage due to repeated use or aging.
Innovation Solution
A plate-shaped holed element with a gourd-shaped main hole and elastic sections, along with a protruding element, which provides balanced elastic force and secure locking while allowing easy insertion and removal, reducing the risk of component damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the insertion or removal of protruding components from holed-components is made tight to ensure secure locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates and components are prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hole from a conventional circular shape to a gourd-shaped configuration with specifically designed curved surfaces. The first curved surface has a greater length than the second curved surface, creating an asymmetric geometry that provides different clearance characteristics for insertion versus removal directions, thereby resolving the contradiction between secure locking and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The holed component employs asymmetric curved surfaces where the first curved surface is deliberately designed to be longer than the second curved surface. This asymmetry creates directional clearance that facilitates easier insertion in one direction while maintaining secure locking in the locked position, and enables controlled removal without requiring excessive force that would cause breakage
2Reliability
If the insertion or removal of protruding components is made tight to ensure secure locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the risk of component breakage increases due to repeated use or aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the hole to include specific curved surfaces with defined length relationships. The asymmetric design with the first curved surface being longer creates optimized stress distribution patterns that reduce concentration of forces on critical component points, thereby preventing breakage while maintaining locking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The gourd-shaped hole design with its specific curved surface geometry inherently provides cushioning effects by creating controlled clearance zones. This geometry absorbs and distributes insertion and removal forces more gently, preventing sudden impact loads that would cause component breakage during repeated use or aging
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
Enhances user experience by providing balanced elastic force and structural stability, extending the service life of components and ensuring secure locking with reduced risk of breakage during repeated use.
Implementation Method 1
two elastic sections, wherein each of the two elastic sections is formed between a corresponding one of the two slots and the main hole
Data Source
AI summary
A holed element is plate-shaped and includes a first curved surface, a second curved surface, two interface surfaces, a main hole, two slots, and two elastic sections. A length of the second curved surface is less than a length of the first curved surface. Each of the two interface surfaces is concave relative to the first curved surface and the second curved surface. The main hole is formed and surrounded by the first curved surface, the second curved surface, and the two interface surfaces. The main hole includes a first hole portion and a second hole portion which respectively correspond to the first curved surface and the second curved surface. The two slots are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the main hole. Each of the elastic sections is formed between a corresponding one of the two slots and the main hole.