Groove Connection Member With Spring Lock for Tool-Only Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection members often deform during disassembly, leading to reduced service life and compromised assembly quality, and lack features to prevent unauthorized disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A connection member design featuring a body with a recess and slots for an apparatus, retaining surfaces with ribs, pre-contact members, an intermediate member that folds for assembly/disassembly, and a flexible member that acts as a spring to prevent unintentional movement, allowing secure mounting and demounting only with an apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a connection member is designed to be easily disassembled, then ease of operation is improved, but the connection member undergoes severe deformation during disassembly and becomes unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion, an intermediate member with pre-contact members, and a flexible member. This segmentation allows the disassembly force to be distributed across multiple components rather than concentrating stress on a single structure, enabling easy disassembly while preserving overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate member is designed to be foldable during assembly and disassembly operations. This dynamic characteristic allows the connection member to adapt its structure during operation - the intermediate member can fold to accommodate the apparatus and facilitate easy disassembly, then return to its original position to maintain structural integrity and prevent deformation.
2Reliability
If a connection member is designed for secure fixation, then reliability is improved, but unauthorized disassembly cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member acts as an intermediary element between the body and the intermediate member. It provides a controlled interface that allows the connection to be securely fixed while requiring specific apparatus interaction for disassembly. The flexible member's spring characteristics ensure that normal operational forces cannot disassemble the connection, yet the designated apparatus can overcome this resistance when properly applied.
3Ease of manufacture
If a connection member uses simple clipping design, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection member moves unintentionally and lacks retention
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-contact members are positioned to contact the workpiece before the main connection is established. This local action at a specific location provides immediate stabilization and prevents unintentional movement during the assembly process, while the overall manufacturing process remains simple and straightforward.
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 design minimizes deformation, extends service life, and ensures secure, cost-effective assembly and disassembly while preventing unauthorized disassembly, thereby maintaining assembly quality and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member (6) providing release after mounting into the aperture is complete
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connection member (1) which connects structural elements or machine parts to each other and which is fixed in the receiving groove.