Lockable Anti-Fall Catch Connector Simplified Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-fall catch connectors have complex structures that increase manufacturing costs and are prone to deformation under stress, leading to accidental opening of the guiding gap due to the complexity of the controlling hole, lever, blocking hole, and spring mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A lockable anti-fall catch connector design featuring a catch member with a retention arm, sleeve members, and a locking shaft with a guiding slot and locking portions, along with a locker unit that includes a resilient element, which requires separate rotational and axial operations to open the guiding gap, enhancing safety by preventing accidental opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the controlling hole, controlling lever, blocking hole, and spring mechanisms are used to prevent accidental opening, then the safety is improved, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex controlling hole, controlling lever, blocking hole, and spring mechanisms from the prior art design. By removing these unnecessary components, the invention achieves the same safety function with a much simpler structure, directly resolving the contradiction between safety and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple components to prevent opening, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple locking shaft with locking portions that actively lock the guiding gap closed. The safety function is achieved through the locking mechanism rather than through complex prevention mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the controlling hole and controlling lever are used to control opening, then the safety is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the controlling hole, controlling lever, blocking hole, and spring mechanisms that increase manufacturing cost. By extracting these complex components, the design achieves safety through simpler elements like the locking shaft and locking portions, directly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex mechanical components with simpler, more cost-effective elements. The locking shaft with locking portions provides the same safety function at a lower manufacturing cost, effectively substituting expensive components with cheaper alternatives.
3Strength
If the hollow structure of the locking shaft is used to bear instant dropping stress, then the strength is improved, but the reliability decreases when the controlling hole deforms and the controlling lever gets stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic controlling hole and controlling lever from the hollow locking shaft structure. By removing these components that can deform and get stuck, the invention maintains the strength benefits of the hollow structure while eliminating the reliability issues associated with the complex controlling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on the controlling hole and controlling lever to manage stress and opening, the invention inverts the approach by using the hollow locking shaft structure primarily for strength while employing separate locking portions for the opening control function. This separation of functions prevents the reliability issues that arose when both functions were combined in the same components.
4Reliability
If the complex structure with multiple components is used, then the safety function is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases due to multiple操作步骤
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of the controlling hole, controlling lever, blocking hole, and spring mechanisms into a single integrated locking shaft with locking portions. This consolidation reduces the number of operational steps required to open the guiding gap, making the device easier to operate while maintaining the safety function through the locked state during normal use.
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 simplified structure reduces manufacturing costs, prevents deformation, and ensures the guiding gap can only be opened intentionally, thereby enhancing safety by requiring distinct operations for opening, thus preventing accidental detachment of the locking shaft.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element applying an urging force against the locking element to engage the locking element with the main catching groove
Data Source
AI summary
A lockable anti-fall catch connector includes a catch member, a locking shaft, and a locker unit. The catch member includes a retention arm and two sleeve members provided at two ends of the retention arm, wherein a first locking portion is provided at one of the sleeve members. The locking shaft is slidably extended between the sleeve members, wherein the locking shaft has a second locking portion detachably coupled with the first locking portion to lock up the locking shaft at the retention arm. The locker unit includes a locking element slidably coupled at one of the sleeve members to engage with the locking shaft, wherein after said locking element is disengaged with the locking shaft, the locking shaft is actuated to disengage the second locking portion with the first locking portion in order to slide the locking shaft with respect to the catch member.