Member Locking Structure Reducing Unlocking Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector locking structures face challenges in reducing unlocking force while minimizing the size of the locking portion, as a smaller inclination angle of the locking face leads to increased thickness requirements and reduced rigidity, making it difficult to elongate the locking portion without increasing size.
Innovation Solution
The member locking structure incorporates a first locking portion with an inclined face and an abutment portion that elastically deforms to lock with a second locking portion, featuring overlapping inclined faces and abutment portions to reduce unlocking force without increasing size, by shifting these elements in the locking width direction and providing additional inclined faces for displacement during unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the inclination angle of the end face of the first locking portion is set to be smaller to reduce unlocking force, then the unlocking force decreases, but the first locking portion must be elongated in the locking direction which increases its size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a locking width direction (transverse dimension) perpendicular to both the locking direction and the thickness direction. By shifting the first inclined face and first abutment portion in the locking width direction, the unlocking force is reduced without requiring elongation in the locking direction, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing unlocking force and maintaining compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion is divided into distinct functional elements: the first inclined face for initial engagement and force reduction, and the first abutment portion for final locking. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently - the inclined face can be positioned to reduce unlocking force while the abutment portion provides the necessary locking engagement without requiring overall elongation.
2Force
If the first locking portion is elongated in the locking direction to reduce unlocking force, then the unlocking force decreases, but the available space is exceeded making it impossible to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the locking width direction (a different dimension) to accommodate the shifted inclined face and abutment portion. This allows the locking mechanism to achieve reduced unlocking force without increasing the length in the locking direction, thereby fitting within the available space constraints.
3Force
If the inclination angle of the end face of the first locking portion is set to be smaller, then the unlocking force can be reduced, but the inclined face must be formed over a wider range which decreases the thickness and rigidity of the first locking portion
Solution Approach 1:
By shifting elements in the locking width direction rather than extending the inclined face over a wider range in the locking direction, the patent maintains the thickness and rigidity of the first locking portion while still achieving reduced unlocking force through the inclined face geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the inclined face geometry locally at specific positions - the first inclined face is positioned to provide the necessary force reduction, while the first abutment portion provides localized support. This localized application maintains rigidity in critical areas while achieving the unlocking force reduction where needed.
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
This configuration effectively reduces the unlocking force while maintaining the structural integrity and preventing excessive displacement, ensuring secure locking and easy release without enlarging the locking portion's size.
Implementation Method 1
the first locking portion being elastically deformed to climb over the second locking portion and elastically restored to be locked to the second locking portion
Data Source
AI summary
A member locking structure includes: a first locking portion provided in a first member; and a second locking portion provided in a second member. The first locking portion and the second locking portion have a first locking face and a second locking face. The first locking face has a first inclined face and a first abutment portion. The second locking face has a second inclined face and a second abutment portion. The first inclined face contacts the second abutment portion and then the first abutment portion contacts the second inclined face, during a relative movement of the first member to the second member in an opposite direction to the locking direction from the locking state, to elastically deform the first locking portion in a direction opposite to lock on the second locking portion by the first inclined face and the second inclined face to release the locking state.