Lever Lock Assembly With Opposite-Direction Protrusion Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks for holding a first part to a second part are not easily handled by workers, as they require space for the protrusion to move out of the receptacle in the same direction as the pushing force, making it difficult to retract the protruding part efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A lock design incorporating a lever with a protrusion attached to its first end, allowing the lever to swivel or move via a rotational joint, enabling the protrusion to be retracted in the opposite direction of the pushing force, thus allowing easier handling and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the protrusion moves in the same direction as the pushing force, then the locking element can be actuated, but additional space is required at the opposite end of the holding body for the protrusion to move out of the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional direction of protrusion movement relative to the pushing force. When force is applied to the locking element, the protrusion moves in the opposite direction to the pushing force, allowing the protrusion to be retracted from the receptacle without requiring additional space at the opposite end of the holding body. This inversion resolves the space constraint while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lever mechanism that converts the pushing force into rotational movement, which then translates into linear movement of the protrusion in the opposite direction. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to achieve the desired protrusion retraction without requiring static space allocation for the movement path, thereby resolving the volume constraint.
2Volume of moving object
If a lever mechanism is introduced to reverse the movement direction, then space requirements are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism serves multiple functions: it reverses the movement direction of the protrusion, provides mechanical advantage for actuation, and enables compact positioning of the locking mechanism. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the space reduction goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism is integrated within the holding body structure, with the lever pivoting point positioned within the existing geometry of the holding body. The lever itself is compact and nested within the available space, minimizing the additional volume required and reducing the visual and structural complexity of the overall assembly.
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 lock facilitates easier operation by translating the pushing force into a retraction movement of the protrusion, allowing for efficient retrieval of the protruding part from the receptacle without requiring additional space for protrusion movement, enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a lever, whereby the lever has a first end and a second end that is arranged opposite the first end, whereby the protrusion is attached to the first end of the lever, and the lever is or can be moved into a position, where the lever rests against a protrusion of the holding body at a point of contact, and when in contact with the protrusion the lever can be swiveled about the protrusion
Implementation Method 2
or the lever is connected to the holding body by a rotational joint, whereby the point of contact or the rotational joint is arranged between the first end and the second end of the lever
Implementation Method 3
applying a force to the second end that is directed against the retraction direction leads to: a swivel movement of the lever about the protrusion or in the rotational joint, and a movement of the protrusion in the retraction direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lock for holding a first part to a second part comprises a holding body with a receptacle for receiving a protruding part of the second part. The holding body has a wall that borders the receptacle and a locking element, the locking element having a protrusion, whereby the locking element has a first position, whereby in the first position the protrusion is in a locking position, whereby in the locking position the protrusion protrudes from the wall into the receptacle by a first amount and the locking element has a second position, whereby in the second position the protrusion is in a release position, whereby in the release position the protrusion either protrudes from the wall into the receptacle by a second amount, whereby the second amount is smaller than the first amount, or the protrusion does not protrude from the wall.