Rotating Connector Buckle Structure for Lower Unlocking Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The harpoon type elastic buckle structure used in connector components provides high retention force, making it difficult to disassemble due to the high unlocking force required.
Innovation Solution
A connector component with an engagement hole and radial protrusions that allows rotation between assembly and disassembly positions, reducing the unlocking force by altering the radial interference amount between the elastic buckle and the engagement hole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a harpoon type elastic buckle structure is used to lock two connector components together, then the retention force is greatly improved ensuring reliable locking, but the unlocking force required becomes very high making disassembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the interference amount between the elastic buckle and engagement hole variable rather than fixed. The radial protrusions enable the interference amount to dynamically change based on the rotational position of the connector component, allowing high retention during normal operation and low unlocking force during disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by altering the radial interference amount between the elastic buckle and engagement hole. By rotating the connector component, the radial protrusions change the interference parameter from a predetermined high value to a reduced value, enabling easy unlocking while maintaining strong locking during assembly
2Reliability
If the radial interference amount between the elastic buckle and engagement hole is increased to improve locking reliability, then the retention force increases, but the unlocking force also increases making disassembly harder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the interference amount dynamic by introducing radial protrusions that engage with the elastic buckle at specific rotational positions. This allows the system to transition between high interference (locked state) and low interference (unlocking state) conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement hole is segmented with radial protrusions that create localized interference zones. These protrusions allow the interference to be concentrated at specific points rather than distributed uniformly, enabling controlled reduction of unlocking force while maintaining overall locking 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
Facilitates easier disassembly of connector components by reducing the unlocking force needed, while maintaining reliable locking in the assembly position.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of elastic buckle halves, which are facing and separated from each other, like a harpoon... The locking protrusion is used to rest against the annular step inside the engagement hole to keep the elastic buckle in the engagement hole
Data Source
AI summary
A connector component incudes an engagement hole adapted to engage with an elastic buckle of another connector component, and a pair of radial protrusions formed on an inner surface of the engagement hole. The connector component is rotatable around the elastic buckle inserted into the engagement hole between an assembly position and a disassembly position. The connector component is adapted such that, with the connector component is in the assembly position, the elastic buckle is not radially pressed by the radial protrusion and a radial interference amount between the elastic buckle and the engagement hole is equal to a predetermined interference amount. With the connector component in the disassembly position, the elastic buckle is radially pressed by the radial protrusion, and the radial interference amount between the elastic buckle and the engagement hole is less than the predetermined interference amount reducing an unlocking force required to unlock the elastic buckle.