Connecting tool and connecting structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting structures for components, such as wooden furniture and automobile interior components, require additional space for elastic deformation and lack precise orthogonal positioning, making them less compact and efficient.
Innovation Solution
A connecting tool with a plug member featuring elastic clips and a socket member with specific engagement surfaces allows for compact design and easy connection/disconnection, utilizing inclined surfaces and vertical surfaces for engagement and release, eliminating the need for extra space on the socket side for elastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elastically deformable clip is provided in the socket-side member for engagement, then the connection can be easily released and reassembled, but additional space is required for the clip to be deformed between the clip and the wall portion on the socket storage side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional design by placing the elastically deformable clip in the plug-side member instead of the socket-side member. This inversion allows the deformation space to be located on the plug side rather than requiring additional space on the socket side, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and volume of the stationary object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the insertion direction (depth dimension) of the plug member as the space for elastic deformation. By allowing the clip to deform along the insertion direction rather than requiring lateral space, the design achieves compactness in the horizontal dimensions while maintaining the necessary deformation space in the depth dimension.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional connecting structure is used, then connection and disconnection can be achieved, but positioning in the direction orthogonal to the connection direction is not performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the engagement surfaces to serve multiple functions: the first step portion engages with the claw surface for primary connection, while the second step portions engage with the release side inclined surfaces to provide both connection and orthogonal positioning. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding positioning capability without requiring a separate positioning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the engagement interface. The claw surface has a specific inclination angle for engagement in the insertion direction, while the release side inclined surfaces have different inclination angles optimized for engagement in the orthogonal direction. This local differentiation of surface properties enables precise positioning in the orthogonal direction while maintaining easy connection functionality.
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 enables a more compact and high-performance connecting tool that facilitates easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural rigidity and positional accuracy, reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the pair of elastic clips each include a claw portion facing an outside of the plug member, and rear surfaces of the elastic clips, which are back sides of surfaces on which the claw portions are present, face inward
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting tool includes: a plug member; and a socket member. The plug member includes at least one pair of elastic clips, and the pair of elastic clips each include a claw portion. The socket member includes at least one pair of openings. The claw portion has a claw surface on a claw portion engagement side configured to be engaged in an insertion direction and a release side inclined surface configured to be engaged in a release slide direction, and the opening has a first step portion configured to be engaged with the claw surface on the claw portion engagement side and second step portions configured to be engaged with the release side inclined surface.