Polygonal Sliding Packaging Twist-Push Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polygonal sliding packaging systems require high force and elastic deformation to transition between locked and unlocked positions, limiting their usability with rigid materials and increasing the risk of accidental disengagement under heavy loads or impact.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a latching track aligned with the displacement direction and a sliding track at a radial distance, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement without the need for elastic deformation, along with a deformation edge providing resistance for secure locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the packaging uses elastic materials to allow twist-push motion for opening and closing, then the packaging can be opened and closed easily, but the packaging lacks security against accidental disengagement under heavy loads or impact
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed engagement system is segmented into multiple individual teeth distributed around the circumference, with each tooth providing independent locking. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security through multiple engagement points while still permitting controlled operation through sequential tooth disengagement during the twist-push motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging system employs different local qualities in the toothed structures - some teeth are designed with features that facilitate easy disengagement during intentional opening, while other teeth or portions of the toothed system provide enhanced security against accidental disengagement. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If the packaging uses rigid materials to enhance security and withstand heavy loads, then the packaging can withstand impact and heavy objects, but the packaging requires high force for displacement and elastic deformation to transition between locked and unlocked positions
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed engagement system incorporates dynamic elements that allow the packaging to transition between rigid locked states and more flexible unlocked states. The twist-push motion creates dynamic loading conditions that facilitate tooth disengagement while maintaining rigid structural integrity during normal operation and under heavy loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters during operation - specifically, the relative position and orientation of the toothed structures change during the twist-push motion. This parameter change allows rigid materials to be used while still enabling transitions between locked and unlocked positions through controlled mechanical motion rather than relying on elastic deformation.
3Device complexity
If the packaging uses a simple direct engagement of locking tracks, then the structure is simple, but the latching movement requires high pushing force and can only be accomplished with high force or oppositely directed release force
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system transitions from simple linear direct engagement to a multi-dimensional toothed engagement system that incorporates rotational (twist) and axial (push) motions. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve locking and unlocking with lower forces by distributing the mechanical action across multiple degrees of freedom rather than relying on high linear pushing force alone.
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
This solution enables the use of rigid materials for the packaging, reduces the force required for displacement, and enhances security against accidental disengagement, allowing the packaging to withstand heavy objects and impact without losing locked position.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation edge arranged on one hollow body in the transition region between the locking track and the sliding track, which sweeps past this deformation edge when the locking track arranged on the other hollow body rotates in from the locking position into the sliding position and this slightly deforms so as to allow a noticeable resistance in the rotation of the two hollow bodies from the release position to the locked position and vice versa
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A polygonal sliding packaging of variable length consists of two hollow bodies (2; 3) that can be connected by sliding them together, with a locking device comprising at least one row of teeth (6, 7) on each hollow body. When the hollow bodies are slid together, the teeth of these teeth (5, 8) engage with each other in a locking manner. To separate the two hollow bodies, the rows of teeth (6, 7) can be disengaged by rotating the two hollow bodies relative to each other about their longitudinal axes. At least one slide (14-2, 15-2) is arranged circumferentially spaced from its row of teeth on one of the hollow bodies. The at least one row of teeth of the other hollow body can be inserted into this slide by rotating the hollow body and then moved longitudinally within it. One hollow body, overlapping the other as an outer sleeve, has a locking or sliding sleeve (30) with a reduced diameter and inclined grooves (37) arranged in its wall.