Installation Box Snap-Lock Cover for Damage-Free Reopening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing installation boxes with screw-fastened or snap-lock mechanisms are laborious to open and close, risk damage from excessive force, and can impair the locking connection with repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism that combines a snap-lock connection with a defined opening mechanism, allowing engagement and separation through simple push or push-turn movements without damaging the locking elements, utilizing elastic locking arms and guided translational movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw fasteners are used to attach the cover to the box body, then the locking connection is strong, but repeated opening and closing can damage or destroy the internal threads
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional screw-thread mechanical fastening system is replaced with a snap-lock mechanism featuring a locking arm that engages with a locking protrusion through elastic deformation. This substitution eliminates threaded holes and screw fasteners entirely, preventing thread damage while maintaining strong locking connection through the elastic locking arm's engagement force.
2Ease of manufacture
If a snap-lock mechanism is used, then the cover can be closed simply, but opening the cover requires prying with tools which can damage the side wall section
Solution Approach 1:
A release hole is introduced as an intermediary element that provides direct access to the locking arm's head portion. This intermediary allows users to apply force directly to the locking mechanism's control point rather than attempting to pry apart the overlapping side wall sections, thereby enabling tool-free opening without damaging the side wall section while maintaining simple push-to-close operation.
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
Enables easy and damage-free opening and closing of installation boxes, maintaining the locking integrity even with repeated use, without the need for tools to release the locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of its locking arms (42, 42.1) is designed to be elastic in the radial direction with respect to a translational assembly movement for closing the locking mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an installation box for accommodating electrical/electronic components, comprising a box body providing a cavity usable for installation and a mounting opening as access to the cavity, and comprising a cover with which the mounting opening can be closed and which, in its closed position, is connected to the box body at least at one point, wherein the parts of the locking mechanism 1 that interact for the purpose of locking can be engaged with one another by a translational assembly movement, and wherein the locking mechanism 1 comprises a first part 2 with a locking undercut 11 as the first locking element, and a locking element 4 that can be locked with the first part 2 as the second part.which, for the purpose of locking the first part 2, has at least one locking arm 18 with a hook projection 19 serving as a second locking element for engagement in a locking undercut 11 of the first part 2, and comprises means for releasing an engaged position of the locking elements engaged with each other, by which means the hook projection 19 of the at least one locking arm 18 of the locking member 4 can be moved out of the locking undercut 11 of the other part 2 so that the two parts 2, 3 can be separated from each other by a translational disassembly movement.