Hidden Expansion Coupling for Aesthetic Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjoining expansion structures for coupling synthetic resin mold products are aesthetically compromising, structurally weak, and complex in design, as they often require visible expansion metal fittings or rely on mold product hooks that reduce strength and complicate the coupling process.
Innovation Solution
An adjoining expansion structure featuring grooves in the devices and coupling members that engage within these grooves, with hooks and screw receiving plates that project and retract, allowing for secure and hidden coupling using screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If expansion metal fittings are used to couple parent device and child device, then structural strength is improved, but design aesthetics deteriorate due to visible fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion fitting is extracted from the visible exterior and relocated to the interior of the device. The fitting is inserted through grooves in the bottom surface of the parent device, so that the coupling mechanism is hidden from view while still providing structural strength for coupling the child device.
2Ease of manufacture
If hooks are made as part of the mold product, then manufacturing is simplified, but structural strength becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure uses a composite approach combining mold-integrated hooks with separate metal expansion fittings. The hooks are formed as part of the synthetic resin mold product, while the expansion fittings are separate metal components that provide enhanced structural strength when coupled together.
3Strength
If multiple components are used for coupling, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling function is merged into a single integrated expansion fitting component that combines multiple functions: the base plate provides mounting surface, the hooks provide engagement with the child device, and the screw-fixing plate-like portions provide secure attachment. This integration reduces the number of separate parts needed while maintaining structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
In an adjoining expansion structure for coupling adjacent devices together in a coupling direction, the adjoining expansion structure includes grooves which penetrate the adjacent devices in the coupling direction, respectively, and coupling members which are inserted in the grooves and fixed to the adjacent devices, respectively. The coupling members are adapted to engage together in the coupling direction. Each of the coupling members may includes a hook projectable from and retractable into a corresponding one of the adjacent devices and a receiving portion having a form adapted for receiving the hook in the coupling direction.