Control apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control apparatuses face difficulties in easily pivoting a locking plate when the lock is released, particularly due to the configuration of the locking member's hook portion moving outward against the elastic force of a spring member, making it hard to pivot the locking plate.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus design featuring a housing with a pivotable holding plate and a locking member that includes a locking plate, bush, and screw, allowing the locking plate to pivot easily by releasing the lock, with the bush's collar portion and screw's head providing a mechanism for loose support and easy rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking member uses a hook portion that moves outwardly against the elastic force of a spring member, then the lock can be released, but it becomes hard to pivot the locking plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidpivotability of locking plate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is divided into distinct functional segments: the locking plate for pivoting motion, the hook portion for engagement, and the spring member for elastic force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the locking plate can pivot freely without the constraint of moving the entire assembly against spring force, while the hook portion separately handles the locking engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the pivoting function from the force-resisting function. The locking plate is designed to pivot within a clearance space without needing to overcome the spring's elastic force. The spring member and hook portion are positioned such that they engage/disengage separately from the pivoting action, removing the harmful constraint of spring resistance from the pivoting motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the filter is attached tightly to the control apparatus without clearance, then dust cannot enter, but the filter becomes difficult to replace

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust preventionVSAvoidfilter replaceability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The filter attachment system transitions from a static tight seal to a dynamic adjustable system. The filter can be positioned in different states: tightly attached for dust prevention, and easily removable for replacement. The locking member mechanism enables this dynamic transition, allowing the filter to be securely held during operation and quickly released when maintenance is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filter replacement system is designed to be self-servicing. The locking member with its release mechanism allows the filter to be easily removed and replaced by the user without requiring special tools or complex procedures. The clear engagement and disengagement paths enable the filter to serve itself in terms of maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4395482A1Control apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP4395482A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4395482A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4395482A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a control apparatus capable of easily pivoting a locking plate when a lock of a locking member is released by pivoting the lock plate of the locking member. A control apparatus includes a housing 30, a holding plate 40 pivotable between a first state at which a first surface 41A of the holding plate 40 is close to the first panel 31 and a second state at which the first surface 41A is spaced apart from the first panel 31, and a locking member 60. The locking member 60 includes a locking plate 61, a bush 65 and a pin 67. The locking plate 61 is pivotably supported so as to be pivotable about an opening 61C1 of the engaging portion 61 in a state in which the engaging portion 61C is held between a collar portion 65B of the bush 65 and the first panel 31 of the housing 30.