Resilient Latch Mechanism for Low-Cost Secure Component Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latches used in child products often have complex structures leading to high production costs and space inefficiency, or simple structures that lack strength, resulting in structural or functional failures over time.
Innovation Solution
A latch mechanism featuring a resilient connecting portion with an integral U-shaped structure, comprising an operating, mounting, and connecting portion, which engages and disengages using a tail-shaped mounting portion and protruding ribs, allowing for secure attachment and easy detachment of a storage tray from a tray mount with low production costs and strong mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional latches have complicated structure for increasing operability, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: a resilient connecting portion with integrated operating portion, a separate engaging component with engaging slot, and mounting portions. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient connecting portion automatically engages with the engaging component when the storage tray is inserted, and automatically disengages when the operating portion is actuated. The resilient material provides automatic resetting and locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms, making the system self-servicing.
2Device complexity
If conventional latches have simple structure, then device complexity and production cost are reduced, but strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is made from resilient material with specific elastic properties that provide both strength and flexibility. The resilient nature allows the connecting portion to withstand repeated engagement and disengagement cycles while maintaining structural integrity, significantly improving reliability compared to simple rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism utilizes resilient material that combines elastic properties with sufficient strength to withstand operational loads. This material selection provides both the simplicity of a single-component design and the reliability of a material that can deform and recover without permanent damage or failure.
3Ease of manufacture
If latch structure is simplified, then production cost is reduced, but operability and strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The operating portion, connecting portion, and mounting portion are integrated into a single resilient component that can be manufactured as one piece. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate parts, reducing assembly steps and production costs while maintaining the necessary strength and operability through the resilient material properties and geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient connecting portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural connection, enables automatic locking through engagement with the engaging component, allows for manual operation via the operating portion, and ensures reliable disengagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, lowering production costs while maintaining reliability.
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 latch mechanism provides a cost-effective, simple, and strong solution for attaching and detaching components, ensuring long-term reliability and ease of operation by resiliently deforming the connecting portion for disassembly, thus addressing the limitations of existing latches.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting portion is made of resilient material. The connecting portion is resiliently deformed by the operating portion to disengage the engaging slot from the engaging component
Data Source
AI summary
A latch mechanism includes a latch component and an engaging component. The latch component includes an operating portion, a mounting portion disposed on a first component, and a connecting portion made of resilient material and connected to the operating portion and the mounting portion. An engaging slot is formed on the connecting portion. The engaging component is disposed on a second component for engaging with or disengaging from the engaging slot. The engaging slot and the engaging component are engaged with each other so as to fix the first component on the second component when the latch mechanism is in a locking state. The connecting portion is resiliently deformed by the operating portion to disengage the engaging slot from the engaging component so as to release the first component from the second component when the operating portion is operated to switch the latch mechanism to a releasing state.