Maintenance Window Locking Device Using Roller-Groove Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing maintenance window locking structures require multiple screws for locking, making it difficult and time-consuming to tighten them under harsh environmental conditions, which can lead to incomplete tightening and reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

A maintenance window locking device that includes a maintenance window body, a cover, a fastening plate with a pin and roller, and a first limiting mechanism with a groove, allowing the cover to be securely attached to the body without the need for multiple screws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple screws are used to lock the maintenance window cover, then the locking reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidease of tightening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple screw fastening operations are merged into a single rotational operation. The fastening plate rotates to simultaneously drive multiple rollers that engage with grooves on the maintenance window cover, achieving complete locking through one continuous motion rather than multiple discrete screw tightenings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional screw-thread mechanical fastening system is replaced with a roller-groove engagement system. The rollers engage with grooves to provide locking force, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners and reducing the complexity of the fastening operation to simple rotational motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple screws are used to lock the maintenance window cover, then the locking reliability is improved, but the time consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidtime to tighten

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple screw fastening operations are merged into a single rotational operation. The fastening plate rotates to simultaneously drive multiple rollers that engage with grooves on the maintenance window cover, achieving complete locking through one continuous motion rather than multiple discrete screw tightenings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening plate is pre-configured with multiple rollers positioned to engage with grooves at optimal locations. This preliminary arrangement ensures that a single rotational motion will automatically engage all locking points simultaneously, eliminating the sequential time required to tighten multiple screws one by one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple screws are used to lock the maintenance window cover, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of fastening components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple screw fastening operations are merged into a single rotational operation. The fastening plate rotates to simultaneously drive multiple rollers that engage with grooves on the maintenance window cover, achieving complete locking through one continuous motion rather than multiple discrete screw tightenings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional screw-thread mechanical fastening system is replaced with a roller-groove engagement system. The rollers engage with grooves to provide locking force, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners and reducing the complexity of the fastening operation to simple rotational motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 improves the protection level of ingress protection and enhances the reliability of the maintenance window locking device by providing a secure and efficient locking mechanism that is easier to operate, even in harsh conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The roller rolls along the first limiting mechanism until the roller is clamped into the groove

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12221811B2Maintenance window locking device

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 ZTE CORP

AI summary

A maintenance window locking device includes a maintenance window body (1), a maintenance window cover (2), a fastening plate (3), a first limiting mechanism (1a) including a groove, and a roller (3a). The fastening plate (3) includes a fastening plate body and a pin (3c) which are of an integrated structure. The pin (3c) is rotatably connected to the roller (3a). The maintenance window body (1) is hinged to a first end of the maintenance window cover (2). The fastening plate body is rotatably connected to a second end of the maintenance window cover (2). The first limiting mechanism (1a) is located on the maintenance window body (1). The fastening plate body drives the maintenance window cover (2) to move toward the maintenance window body (1). The roller (3a) rolls along the first limiting mechanism (1a) until the roller is clamped into the groove, such that the maintenance window cover (2) and the maintenance window body (1) are tightly attached.