Miniaturized Jewelry Coupling With Snap Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jewelry coupling mechanisms are bulky, visible, and prone to functional failure due to metal fatigue, making them insecure and difficult to use, especially when made of gold, which can lead to loss of expensive jewelry.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized coupling mechanism comprising millimeter-sized male and female couplings with a resilient snap connector and actuating pin, allowing for secure, easy assembly and disassembly, with surface decorations to blend with jewelry components and a spring mechanism for tactile feedback and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional jewelry coupling mechanisms are used, then the jewelry components can be connected, but the coupling mechanisms become bulky and visible, affecting aesthetic design
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate male and female coupling components, each with specific functional elements (locking member, snap connector, actuating pin) that can be independently designed and manufactured. This segmentation allows for miniaturization while maintaining functional integrity and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is inserted into the female coupling through an opening into its interior, with the snap connector located inside the female coupling. This nested arrangement allows the coupling mechanism to occupy minimal space while providing secure connection, resolving the contradiction between small size and functional capability.
2Reliability
If traditional coupling mechanisms are used, then jewelry components can be connected, but they become prone to metal fatigue and functional failure
Solution Approach 1:
The snap connector is resiliently biased to engage with the locking member before full insertion is complete, providing progressive engagement that distributes stress and prevents sudden failure. This prior cushioning approach enhances reliability while extending service life by preventing metal fatigue from shock loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism uses elastic deformation of the resiliently-biased snap connector rather than rigid metal-to-metal contact throughout the engagement process. This parameter change from rigid to elastic interaction reduces stress concentrations and prevents metal fatigue, thereby improving both reliability and duration of action.
3Ease of operation
If traditional coupling mechanisms are used, then jewelry components can be connected, but they become difficult to disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating pin serves as an intermediary element that, when pressed, moves the snap connector to release the locking member. This simple intermediary mechanism provides easy disassembly through a single pressing action while keeping the overall device complexity low due to the minimal number of components required.
Solution Approach 2:
The resiliently-biased snap connector automatically engages with the locking member upon insertion without requiring additional actions. The coupling mechanism performs part of its function (engagement) automatically, reducing the operational steps required from the user while maintaining simplicity in design.
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 provides a secure, easy-to-use, and aesthetically compatible jewelry coupling system that remains functional with repeated use, maintaining a strong and flexible design while being inexpensive to manufacture, and is adaptable for various applications beyond jewelry.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently-biased, snap connector located in the interior of the female coupling
Implementation Method 2
The coupling includes a spring that is engaged with the locking element, to push it out of the female coupling upon actuation of the actuating pin
Data Source
AI summary
A miniaturized coupling for jewelry includes a male coupling and a female coupling, each of which is millimeter-sized or sub-millimeter-sized and each of which is attached to or suited to be attached to a respective jewelry component. The male coupling has a locking member configured to be inserted into the female coupling through an opening into an interior of the female coupling. A resiliently-biased, snap connector located in the interior of the female coupling, so constructed that when the locking member is inserted into the female coupling it initially moves and then is retained by the snap connector. An actuating pin in the female coupling is configured to move the snap connector to release the locking member and thereby disengage the male and female couplings from each other. The actuating pin has an outer surface accessible at an outer surface of the female coupling.