Miniaturized Jewelry Couplings With Hidden Snap Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jewelry coupling mechanisms are bulky, visible, and prone to accidental opening due to metal fatigue, limiting their aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Miniaturized coupling mechanisms comprising millimeter-sized male and female couplings with a resilient snap connector and an actuating pin, allowing secure and easy interlocking and disassembly without visible locking members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional jewelry coupling mechanisms are used, then secure interlocking is achieved, but the coupling becomes 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, resilient member, actuating member) that can be independently optimized for size and function, enabling miniaturization while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is received within the interior of the female coupling, and the actuating member is positioned within the female coupling body, creating a nested arrangement that minimizes overall coupling volume while maintaining all necessary functional elements
2Reliability
If traditional jewelry coupling mechanisms are used, then secure interlocking is achieved, but the coupling is prone to accidental opening due to metal fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is positioned to engage the locking member in a pre-loaded state, creating a cushioning effect that absorbs stress and prevents direct transmission of forces that would cause metal fatigue, while maintaining secure interlocking
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism uses elastic deformation of the resilient member as a key parameter, allowing the system to absorb and dissipate energy from accidental loads without causing permanent damage or metal fatigue to the structural components
3Reliability
If traditional jewelry coupling mechanisms are used, then secure interlocking is achieved, but the coupling becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The female coupling body serves multiple functions: it houses the resilient member, provides the locking surface, contains the actuating member, and forms the external aesthetic element, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The locking surface and the actuating member are integrated into the same female coupling body structure, and the resilient member is embedded within the same component, merging multiple functional elements into a single manufacturable unit that reduces assembly steps
4Volume of moving object
If miniaturized coupling mechanisms are used, then aesthetic integrity is maintained, but the coupling may be difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating member serves as an intermediary element that translates a small external force (pressing on the visible portion) into a larger internal force that moves the locking member and disengages the resilient member, enabling easy operation of the miniaturized coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including the resilient member that can deform elastically and the actuating member that can move between positions, allowing the system to respond to user input with amplified motion and force despite its miniaturized size
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 secure, easy-to-use, and reliable jewelry couplings that maintain aesthetic integrity and functionality, enabling versatile and interchangeable jewelry designs.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
an actuating pin in the female coupling that is configured to move the snap connector to release the locking member and thereby disengage the male and female couplings from each other
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.