Roller Shutter Tube Support With Tool-Free Elastic Clip Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller shutter tube supports require significant effort for assembly and disassembly, with components often needing to be plastically deformed, making them impractical for reuse.
Innovation Solution
A roller shutter tube support design featuring a flange with a recess and a tulip-shaped fitting, including elastic clips that allow for easy assembly and disassembly without the need for tools, using translational movements and minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spring tabs and pins are used to connect flange and lug, then the connection is secure, but assembly requires significant force and plastic deformation of the tab
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: the tenon with flattened elongated shape, the passage with side walls, and the elastic clip mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the elastic clip handling the locking function and the tenon-passage interface handling the insertion and positioning, thereby reducing assembly force requirements while maintaining connection security
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic clip provides a dynamic connection mechanism that can elastically deform during assembly to accommodate the tenon insertion, then returns to its original shape to securely hold the connection. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for plastic deformation of tabs while maintaining secure connection, as the elastic material can reversibly absorb and release energy during the assembly and disassembly processes
2Reliability
If plastic deformation of the tab is required to secure the assembly, then the connection is locked, but disassembly becomes impractical and the part cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic clip's ability to reversibly deform allows the connection to be locked securely during operation while enabling easy disassembly when needed. The elastic material stores energy during insertion and releases it to maintain the locked state, but can be easily deformed in the opposite direction for disassembly, thus preserving the component for reuse without compromising connection security during service
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic clip mechanism allows for easy recovery and reuse of the connection components. Unlike permanent plastic deformation that destroys the component, the elastic clip can be repeatedly deformed and recovered, enabling the same flange-lug connection to be assembled and disassembled multiple times while maintaining connection integrity and security
3Reliability
If additional steps with tools are required for assembly, then the connection is secure, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic clip automatically performs the locking function through its own elastic deformation during the insertion process, without requiring external tools or additional操作步骤. The tenon simply needs to be inserted into the passage, and the elastic clip's complementary shape causes it to deform and lock the connection in place, making the assembly process self-servicing and eliminating complex tool-based procedures while ensuring secure connection
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 support is easy to assemble and disassemble, requiring minimal effort, with components held in place by elastic clips, facilitating quick installation and removal without the need for tools.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic clip configured to cooperate, in particular by complementary form, with a first opening made in the fitting, so as to fix the tulip to the fitting when the fitting is fitted into the conduit
Implementation Method 2
the tulip includes a second elastic clip, which is configured to cooperate with a second orifice provided on the flange when the first sub-assembly is in the fitted configuration in order to prevent translational movements of the first subassembly relative to the flange parallel to the insertion direction
Implementation Method 3
the tulip includes an extension, which extends from one end of the second clip and terminates in a gripping portion, the gripping portion being configured to allow the user to elastically deform the second clip so as to disengage the second elastic clip from the second orifice
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
This bracket (30) includes a flange (300) for supporting a winding tube, a guide flange (200) for guiding a screen, and a bracket (100) for wall mounting. The flange (300) provides a channel (396) for receiving a tenon (102) of the bracket, which also includes a fitting (104) for wall mounting. The flange (200) provides a channel (204) for inserting the fitting (104) and includes a first clip (206) for securing the flange to the fitting, and a second elastic clip (210) designed to cooperate with a second opening (398) provided on the flange when the tenon is inserted into the opening. To facilitate disassembly, the flange also includes an extension (218), which extends from the second clip and terminates in a gripping portion (219).