Interlocking Connection with Linear Guide for Easy Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing releasable positively locking connections are complex to assemble and dismantle, lacking a simple and efficient mechanism for securing and releasing the connection.
Innovation Solution
A releasable positively locking connection is achieved through a linear guide and a separate securing element, where the securing element elastically deforms to engage with a stop face, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly by guiding the first body along the linear guide, and the securing element locks in place to secure the connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional latching connection with latching lugs and latching faces is used, then the connection provides secure locking, but the assembly and dismantling process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: a linear guide for alignment, a securing element for locking, and an elastically deformable section for engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining secure locking through the dedicated latching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear guide is engaged first to pre-align the first body and second body before the securing element is inserted. This preliminary alignment action simplifies the subsequent locking operation by ensuring proper positioning, thereby reducing the complexity of the overall assembly process while guaranteeing reliable engagement of the latching features.
2Reliability
If multiple securing elements and complex latching mechanisms are used to ensure secure connection, then the locking reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linear guide and the alignment function are merged into a single structural element that also serves as part of the engagement mechanism. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components while maintaining both the alignment function and the secure locking capability through the integrated design of the guide and latching features.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element serves multiple functions: it acts as a locking mechanism through its engagement with the latching face, provides structural support by spanning between bodies, and enables the releasable connection through its removable nature. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable connection.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid securing mechanism is used to ensure stable connection, then the connection stability improves, but the ease of assembly and disassembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element incorporates elastic deformability, allowing it to dynamically adapt during assembly by deforming to pass through the engagement space, then springing back to create a secure locked position. This dynamic behavior enables simple assembly through straightforward insertion while maintaining stable connection through the elastic locking mechanism that resists separation forces.
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
This solution enables simple and secure assembly and disassembly of the connection, ensuring the connection remains locked until the securing element is released, facilitating easy integration into electric connecting devices and solenoid valve systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one section of the second body, which section can be deformed elastically by way of the other end of the separate securing element in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one separate securing element
Data Source
AI summary
A releasable-positively-locking-connection (RPLC) between first/second bodies, including: a) a linear-guide between first/second bodies, so that the linear-guide is engage-able; b) a separate-securing-element, fastened releasably by one end in a first-opening in the first-body and/or in a third-opening in a third-body, so that the securing-element protrudes from the first-opening; and c) a second-body section, which is deformable elastically by the separate-securing-element in the longitudinal-axis-direction of the separate-securing-element and has a stop-face, with which the separate-securing-element is contactable; d) the elastically-deformable-section and separate-securing-element interact, e) to assemble the RPLC, e1) the linear guide is engaged between first/second bodies, and e2) first, the first-body is guided linearly in an assembly-direction along the linear-guide, the elastically-deformable-section being contacted by the separate-securing-element which protrudes out of the first-opening, and deformed elastically in the longitudinal-axis-direction of the separate-securing-element, e3) until, secondly, an assembly-end-position is reached, in which the separate-securing-element passes the stop-face and, the elastic-section springs back, and the separate-securing-element engages in a positively-locking manner behind the stop-face, and configures a stop, f) to dismantle the RPLC, f1) the separate-securing-element is released from the first/third-opening, and f2) the first-body is moved linearly along the linear-guide in a dismantling-direction, opposed to the assembly-direction, until the linear-guide doesn't engage between the first/second bodies.