Latch With Pre-Molded Lead-In Fastener for One-Handed Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latch installation methods require users to guide fasteners through latches and into cavities, making the process cumbersome and requiring two hands, which complicates the alignment and assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A latch with a pre-molded or pre-assembled fastener featuring a longer lead-in portion and a threaded portion, allowing for easier alignment and single-handed installation by using the lead-in portion to align the latch against the cavity during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate fastener is used with the latch, then the latch can be securely assembled to the drawer, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and requires two hands for guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch body and fastener into a single integrated unit. The fastener is pre-molded or pre-assembled to the latch cover plate, eliminating the need for separate fastener handling during installation. This merging allows the user to install the latch with one hand while the other hand can operate the drawer, directly resolving the contradiction between secure assembly and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is pre-positioned and pre-aligned with the latch body during manufacturing. The lead-in portion of the fastener is预先 formed to guide proper alignment with the drawer cavity. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual alignment guidance during installation, reducing installation complexity while maintaining secure assembly.
2Loss of time
If a separate fastener is guided through the latch during assembly, then the fastener can be properly positioned, but the process requires two hands and more time
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fastener with the latch body into a single pre-assembled unit, the patent eliminates the time-consuming step of manually guiding a separate fastener through the latch. The integrated design allows for one-handed installation, significantly reducing installation time while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is pre-positioned and pre-aligned with the latch body during manufacturing, with the lead-in portion already formed to guide proper alignment with the drawer cavity. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual alignment guidance during installation, reducing both installation time and complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lead in portion is longer than the threaded portion, then alignment during installation is improved, but the fastener structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is designed with different portion lengths optimized for specific functions: the lead-in portion is longer to provide alignment guidance, while the threaded portion is shorter for secure fastening. This local differentiation of qualities (lengths) optimizes alignment precision without requiring overall structural complexity, as each portion serves its specific purpose efficiently.
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
Facilitates quicker and more efficient latch installation by allowing one-handed operation and improved alignment, reducing the complexity and time required for assembly while ensuring a secure connection.
Implementation Method 1
A spring can also be provided and can bias the latch into a locked position when the latch is engaged against the catch.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are latches with pre-molded or pre-assembled fasteners. The latch fastener can include a threaded portion and a lead in portion that is longer than the threaded portion. During installation of the latch, the lead in portion can be inserted into a cavity of a drawer to help align the latch against the cavity during installation. The built-in fastener frees one hand of the user during installation and the additional length of the lead in allows an easier alignment of the latch during installation.