Offset Fastener Spring-Loaded Ball Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening methods for metal panel members require significant labor and time to lock and unlock, and often necessitate a hand tool for operation, making them inconvenient and inefficient, especially in applications like telecommunication cabinets and industrial computers.
Innovation Solution
An offset fastener system comprising a socket with a retaining shaft and spring chamber, which allows the shaft to move between center and offset positions, utilizing a floating ball and spring mechanism for easy locking and unlocking of panel members without the need for additional structural features or tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a locking bolt with spring member and operating cap is used to fasten panel members, then the fastening function is achieved, but much labor and time is required for locking and unlocking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is designed to perform locking and unlocking operations automatically through spring-loaded balls that engage with ramps on the locking bolt. When the locking bolt moves axially, the spring balls are forced against the ramps, causing the retaining shaft to rotate and the positioning member to engage or disengage from the positioning hole without requiring manual intervention or tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual operation of rotating a knob or using a hand tool is replaced by an automatic mechanical system involving spring-loaded balls and ramps. The axial movement of the locking bolt automatically triggers the rotation of the retaining shaft through the interaction between the spring balls and ramps, substituting complex manual mechanical operations with a simpler automatic mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a locking bolt with operating cap is used, then fastening is achieved, but a hand tool is necessary for driving the locking bolt, making operation inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the fastening operation automatically once the locking bolt is axially moved. The spring-loaded balls and ramps mechanism automatically converts the axial movement into rotational movement of the retaining shaft, eliminating the need for external hand tools to drive the locking bolt during the fastening process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses dynamic interaction between moving parts - the spring-loaded balls move dynamically against the ramps on the locking bolt, automatically generating the rotational motion needed for fastening. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for static manual operation with hand tools.
3Ease of operation
If the retaining shaft is movable in and out of the positioning hole, then locking function is achieved, but positioning accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is designed to preliminarily align with the positioning hole before final engagement. The spring-loaded balls and ramps mechanism ensures that the retaining shaft rotates to the correct position, causing the positioning member to accurately engage with the positioning hole, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while enabling easy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism provides mechanical feedback through the spring-loaded balls engaging with the ramps, ensuring that the retaining shaft rotates to the precise position needed for the positioning member to engage with the positioning hole. This feedback mechanism guarantees accurate positioning while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Facilitates rapid and convenient assembly and disassembly of panel members with enhanced positioning accuracy, reducing operational effort and eliminating the need for hand tools, while saving costs by eliminating the need for extra structural designs in the socket.
Implementation Method 1
each spring chamber having accommodated therein a spring member and a floating ball that is supported on the spring member and forced by the spring member into abutment against an inside wall of the socket
Data Source
AI summary
A offset fastener includes socket including socket hole and bottom positioning portion affixed to first panel member, retaining shaft including shaft body axially movably positioned in socket hole and transversely movable relative to socket between center position and offset position, spring chamber transversely defined in shaft body, spring member mounted in spring chamber and floating ball supported on spring member and forced by spring member into abutment against an inside wall of socket that defines socket hole, positioning member axially extended from shaft body for inserting through positioning hole of second panel member when retaining shaft is disposed in center position and for locking retaining shaft to positioning hole when retaining shaft is moved to offset position, and stopper member fastened to retaining shaft and operable to move stopper member between center position and offset position.