Latching Device Line Contact Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching devices for rotary or translational operating elements suffer from wear and tear and noise issues due to punctiform contact and elastic mounting, which complicates noise reduction and increases maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a latching projection that maintains line contact with the latching track, reducing surface pressure and shock impulses by changing inclination, allowing for a more durable plastic material without additives and reducing noise without additional lubricants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a resiliently mounted latching projection with punctiform contact is used, then the latching device can be compact and easy to manufacture, but wear and tear increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from punctiform (point) contact to line contact by changing the dimensional characteristics of the contact zone. The latching projection surface is designed to contact the latching track along a line extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the latching track, distributing contact forces across a larger area and reducing wear while maintaining compact construction
2Reliability
If lubricants are applied to reduce wear, then wear and tear is counteracted, but device complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-lubricating system where the latching projection and latching track surfaces are designed with specific geometric characteristics (line contact, inclined surfaces) that inherently reduce friction and wear. The inclined surfaces guide the latching projection smoothly along the latching track, eliminating the need for external lubricants or complex maintenance systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If the latching projection is elastically mounted, then the latching device can absorb variations, but noise increases and noise control becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from point contact to line contact, the patent distributes the impact forces across a longer contact zone. The line contact extends transversely across the latching track, spreading out the shock impulses that occur during latching operations, thereby reducing noise while maintaining the elastic mounting's adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inclined surfaces on the latching track that dynamically guide the latching projection during its movement. The inclined surfaces create a controlled ramp effect that smooths the engagement and disengagement motions, reducing shock impulses and noise while allowing the elastic mounting to maintain contact
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 enhances durability and reduces noise and wear, improving the haptics and acoustics of the locking device by maintaining line contact and reducing shock impulses, leading to increased durability and noise reduction without additional aids.
Implementation Method 1
the latching projection is in contact with the latching track, ie with the upper side of the latching link, along at least one line zone or line
Implementation Method 2
Due to its elastic mounting, the latching projection performs up and down movements when sliding over the latching track
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~10
Figure 11~13
AI summary
The latching device for a rotationally or translationally movable operator control element is provided with a resiliently mounted latching projection (32) and with a latching guideway (24) which is in sliding contact with the latching projection (32) and which has a plurality of latching depressions (26) with latching elevations arranged between them. The latching depressions (26) and the latching elevations (28) form a substantially corrugated latching path (30) along which the latching projection (32) slides during a relative movement between latching guideway (24) and latching projection (32). The latching projection (32) has a surface (44) which contacts the latching path (30) along at least one contact line (40, 42) running substantially transversely to the longitudinal extent of the latching path (30). When sliding along the latching path (30), the latching projection (32) experiences an upward and downward movement with periodic change of the orientation of its contact line (40, 42) with respect to the latching guideway (24). The surface of the latching path (30) has a change of inclination which follows the change of orientation of the contact line (40, 42) of the latching projection (32) during its upward and downward movement.