Lock Handle and Rotating Shaft Assembly With Tool-Free Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing assembly process for lock handles and rotating shafts is complex and costly, requiring multiple production lines and separate storage of components for surface treatment, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A lock handle and rotating shaft combination mechanism featuring a tubular socket with a connection portion and a protrusion, and a tubular rotating shaft with a securing member and guiding slot, allowing for tool-free assembly by radial expansion of the shaft when the protrusion engages the guiding slot, facilitating modular assembly post-surface treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional stamping and riveting processes are used to assemble the rotating shaft to the handle, then the connection strength is improved, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure is divided into two parts: a protrusion on the handle and a corresponding groove on the rotating shaft. This segmentation allows the components to be assembled through simple insertion and expansion rather than complex stamping and riveting processes, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion on the handle is inserted into the groove on the rotating shaft, creating a nested configuration. This nesting structure enables tool-free assembly where the rotating shaft expands radially outward to secure the handle, eliminating the need for additional stamping and riveting equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple production lines are used for separate assembly processes, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure merges the assembly of the rotating shaft and handle into a single integrated process. The protrusion and groove design allows both components to be assembled simultaneously in one operation, eliminating the need for multiple production lines and separate assembly processes, thereby improving production efficiency while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion and groove structures are pre-formed on the handle and rotating shaft respectively during their individual manufacturing processes. This preliminary action allows the components to be ready for direct assembly without requiring additional precision machining or multiple production line operations, thus improving overall production efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If components are stored separately for surface treatment, then the surface quality is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structures (protrusion and groove) are pre-formed on the handle and rotating shaft during their individual manufacturing processes, before assembly. This preliminary action allows the components to be stored separately for surface treatment without delaying the final assembly, as the connecting features are already in place. This resolves the contradiction by enabling parallel processing of surface treatment and assembly operations.
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
Simplifies the assembly process, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances production efficiency by enabling tool-free connection and modular assembly of components post-surface treatment.
Implementation Method 1
When the protrusion is engaged with the guiding slot, the rotating shaft expands radially outward
Data Source
AI summary
A lock handle and rotating shaft combination mechanism includes a handle having a tubular socket extending axially. The socket includes a connection portion and a protrusion. A tubular rotating shaft includes a securing member formed radially to the rotating shaft. The securing member is located corresponding to the connection portion. A guiding slot is defined axially in the distal end of the rotating shaft. When the protrusion is engaged with the guiding slot, the rotating shaft expands radially outward, and the securing member is engaged with the connection portion to connect the handle to the rotating shaft. No tool is required during the assembling processes to reduce time for assembling the combination mechanism.