Movable Inner Stop in Ball Bar for Secure Snap-Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for connecting and locking parts, such as watch bracelets, face issues like accidental disengagement, wear, and complex assembly, with insufficient spring force and easy deformation leading to ineffective safety mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a U-shaped female part with ball bars and a hinged flap, incorporating a movable inner stop within the ball bar to prevent accidental opening and wear, ensuring secure snap-fastening and locking through a combination of ball and spring mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety lock is used to prevent accidental disengagement, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity increases and the safety lock wears quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the safety lock function from a separate component and integrates it into the ball bar itself through the movable inner stop. The inner stop is a simple element that can be moved axially within the ball bar to provide the safety locking function, eliminating the need for complex external safety locks and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable inner stop is nested inside the ball bar, with the stop being axially movable within the bar's hollow structure. This nested configuration allows the safety function to be incorporated within the existing ball bar geometry without adding external complexity, and the stop can move freely within the confined space of the ball bar to engage or disengage the safety locking position.
2Reliability
If the spring force is increased to retain balls in housing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ball retention function with the movable inner stop mechanism. The inner stop, when in its retracted position, provides the retaining barrier for the balls, eliminating the need for separate spring mechanisms. The stop's axial position controls ball retention, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component that reduces part count while maintaining reliable ball retention.
3Reliability
If a hinged flap is added to lock the connection, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to wear and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking function from a hinged flap mechanism and transfers it to the movable inner stop. The inner stop provides the locking function through its axial position rather than through hinged movement, eliminating the wear and deformation issues associated with hinged mechanisms while maintaining reliable locking. The stop moves linearly within the ball bar, avoiding the friction and buckling problems of hinged flaps.
4Reliability
If the axial length of the stop plus ball diameters is greater than branch distance, then the reliability against accidental opening is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing specific dimensional relationships only where needed for the safety function. The inner stop and balls have precise dimensional relationships with each other and with the ball bar, but these precision requirements are localized to the critical safety engagement areas rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire device. The dimensional precision is concentrated in the stop-ball-bar interface where it is most critical for preventing accidental opening.
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 reliable, low-wear connection that resists accidental disengagement and impact, ensuring the parts remain locked without the need for complex assembly or excessive parts, enhancing the durability and functionality of the locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a spring intended to exert an outwardly directed force on the balls
Implementation Method 2
at least one movable inner stop arranged inside the ball bar, between these balls
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the connection and the locking of two parts (30a, 30b), including a female part (10) comprising two bars (12), a male part (21) cooperating with this female part (10), and a hinged flap (17). Each bar (12) contains two balls (2a, 2b) and at least one movable inner stop (5) arranged between the balls (2a, 2b). The axial length of the movable stop (5) plus the diameters of the two balls (2a, 2b) is greater than the distance between the two lateral faces of the branch (11a, 11b) in which the ball bar (12) is situated. Also provided is a method for the connection and the locking of two parts, a ball bar, and a method for producing the latter and to the uses thereof.