Hook Locking Structure With Tension Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional locking structures for electronic devices are either complex and costly to manufacture or require manual operation for locking and releasing, complicating the assembly process and increasing production time.

Innovation Solution

A locking structure featuring a fastening portion, a hook portion, and a tension spring that allows for quick locking and releasing without manual intervention, with the tension spring facilitating the movement and secure fastening of the hook portion between locking and release positions, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional locking structure uses a simple fastening structure, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it requires manual operation by a user to lock or release, complicating the assembly process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmanual operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking structure employs a tension spring that automatically restores the hook portion to the release position after the hook separates from the fastening portion, eliminating the need for manual operation to reset the locking mechanism. The system serves itself by using the tension spring's restoring force to automatically return to the initial state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a conventional locking structure uses an intricate fastening structure to ensure automatic restoration, then the locking structure can be restored to initial position immediately, but this adds to manufacturing costs and renders the assembly process complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic restorationVSAvoidfastening structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the restoration function from a complex fastening structure and implements it through a simple tension spring mechanism. By separating the locking function (hook and fastening portion) from the restoration function (tension spring), the design achieves automatic restoration without requiring an intricate fastening structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension spring automatically restores the hook portion to the release position using its own elastic restoring force, making the system self-servicing without requiring external intervention or complex mechanical restoration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a conventional locking structure uses an intricate fastening structure, then the locking structure can be restored to initial position immediately, but this increases manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic restorationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The restoration function is extracted and implemented through a simple, inexpensive tension spring rather than an intricate fastening structure, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining automatic restoration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension spring is a simple, inexpensive elastic component that provides the restoration function at low cost, replacing expensive and complex fastening structures while maintaining the desired automatic restoration behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces manufacturing components and costs, and shortens production time while ensuring secure fastening and easy operation of the locking mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the tension spring exerts a restoring force under which the hook portion returns to the release position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the tension spring exerts a stretching force under which the hook portion can firmly fasten the first case and the second case together

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11549284B2Locking structure

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 GETAC TECH CORP

AI summary

A locking structure, for fastening together a first case and a second case, includes: a fastening portion disposed on the first case, a hook portion movable between a locking position and a release position, and a tension spring with one end disposed at the second case and the other end disposed at the hook portion. When the hook portion moves to the locking position under an applied force, the hook portion becomes fastened to the fastening portion. After the hook portion has separated from the fastening portion under an applied force, the tension spring exerts a restoring force under which the hook portion returns to the release position. After the hook portion has separated from the fastening portion under the applied force, the tension spring pulls the hook portion back to the release position without a user's manipulation.