Locking Device Tilting Guide Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for casings and covers, such as those used for sound equipment, face issues with complex assembly processes, excessive frictional forces, and high manufacturing costs due to conical curved surfaces, which complicate operation and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a rotatably coupled tilting guide and a restoring member, where the locking hook is moved vertically along a support block, reducing friction and requiring less force for operation, and simplifying the formation process of the support block, thus improving usability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lead spring is secured to the housing with a rivet, then the lead spring can press the tilting guide, but the working process becomes complicated and excessive frictional force is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lead spring from the system entirely and replaces it with a restoring member (torsion spring) that is integrated into the housing structure. The torsion spring is mounted in a recess of the housing and directly connects to the tilting guide, eliminating the need for separate securing components like rivets and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a restoring member (torsion spring) as an intermediary element between the housing and the tilting guide. This restoring member provides the necessary pressing force while being integrated into the housing structure, avoiding the need for separate securing mechanisms and reducing frictional contact points.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is rotated 180 degrees or more to move the cam along the curved surface, then the locking hook can be moved, but a larger force is required and friction noise occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional cam mechanism by replacing the curved surface with a vertical-movement support block that guides linear motion. Instead of rotating the handle to move a cam along a curved path, the handle rotation now directly translates to vertical movement of the locking hook through the support block, reducing the rotation angle and force required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the cam-and-curved-surface mechanical system with a direct guide block mechanism. The vertical-movement support block provides guided linear motion for the locking hook, eliminating the need for large-angle handle rotation and reducing frictional contact and noise.
3Ease of operation
If the curved surface is formed to protrude from the shell in a conical shape, then the cam can move along it, but the working process becomes difficult and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the approach by replacing the complex conical curved surface with a simple vertical-movement support block. Instead of forming a difficult conical shape that protrudes from the shell, the support block provides a straightforward vertical guide surface that is much easier to manufacture with standard machining processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the guiding surface from a complex conical shape with protrusions to a simple vertical block geometry. This parameter change simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the functional ability to guide the locking hook's movement.
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 enables smooth operation of the locking device with reduced force requirements and simplified manufacturing, enhancing usability and productivity while lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
the tilting guide resiliently provided in the housing via a wire spring to guide a movement of the locking hook
Implementation Method 2
a restoring member resiliently supporting the extension piece to move down the tilting guide and the locking hook
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device, in which a larger force is required only when a vertical moving block protruding from a lower surface of a locking hook is moved up and down while being in line contact with a vertical-movement support block, thus allowing the locking device to be easily used with a relatively smaller force. Further, the tilting guide is restored by a restoring force of a restoring member, so that no frictional force is generated between the tilting guide and the housing, thus preventing a noise from being generated and allowing for a smooth operation, thereby ensuring the ease of use.