Rotating Cylinder Lock Guiding Structures for Assembly Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The difficulty in aligning the engaging groove of a rotating cylinder with a transmission element during lock assembly, due to their differing cross-sectional shapes and axial distances, leads to incorrect assembly and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

The rotating cylinder features a first and second guiding structure with curved surfaces that guide the transmission element into the engaging groove, eliminating the need for precise alignment and reducing assembly difficulty by allowing the element to be inserted even when initially misaligned.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cross sections of the engaging groove and transmission element are formed in a rectangular shape with an axial distance between them, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but it is difficult to directly observe and align the engaging groove from the outside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies visual differentiation by forming the engaging groove with a cross-sectional shape that differs from the transmission element's rectangular cross-section. Specifically, the engaging groove has a shape (such as triangular, trapezoidal, or irregular) that is visually distinct, allowing the assembler to easily locate and align it from the outside without requiring complex observation or measurement procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If the cross section of the engaging groove is formed in a cross shape and the cross section of the transmission element is formed in a rectangular shape, then the structural identification is improved, but it is difficult to align the engaging groove with the transmission element and may assemble in an incorrect direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric cross-sectional shapes for both the engaging groove and the transmission element. The engaging groove has a non-symmetric shape (such as triangular or trapezoidal) that is specifically designed to match the corresponding asymmetric shape of the transmission element. This asymmetric pairing provides inherent directional guidance, ensuring that the transmission element can only be inserted into the engaging groove in the correct orientation, thereby preventing incorrect assembly while maintaining simple manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple parts are required to be aligned during assembly, then the assembly precision is improved, but the assembling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features directly into the design of the engaging groove and transmission element. The asymmetric cross-sectional shapes are pre-configured during manufacturing, so that when the parts are brought together, the unique geometric forms automatically guide each other into the correct relative position and orientation. This preliminary geometric configuration eliminates the need for complex multi-part alignment procedures during assembly, as the asymmetric shapes self-align during the insertion process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11473334B2Rotating cylinder and lock
Publication Date: 2022.10.18 TAIWAN FU HSING INDUSTRIAL CO LTD
  • US11473334B2 patent drawing
  • US11473334B2 patent drawing
  • US11473334B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A rotating cylinder applied to a lock is disclosed. The rotating cylinder is configured to guide a transmission element of the lock and defining a central axis. The rotating cylinder includes an opening, an inner wall, a first guiding structure, a second guiding structure and an engaging groove. The inner wall is communicated with the opening. The first guiding structure is formed on the inner wall and includes a first curved surface. The second guiding structure is formed on the inner wall and opposite to the first guiding structure. The second guiding structure includes a first curved surface. The engaging groove is formed between the first guiding structure and the second guiding structure. The first curved surface of the first guiding structure and the first curved surface of the second guiding structure are closer to the opening than the engaging groove.