Rotating Latch Mechanism for Tool-Free Assembly Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latch mechanisms are cumbersome to assemble and require tools for disassembly, failing to provide a seamless and tool-free engagement and disengagement process.
Innovation Solution
A latch mechanism comprising a first and second latch body with a rotating acting portion that moves between engaged and disengaged positions, utilizing pushing structures and elastic elements to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly without the need for screws or additional tools, allowing the first latch body to be engaged and disengaged from the second latch body through a rotational path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional latch mechanism with screw-free design is used, then assembly is simplified and tools are eliminated, but the mechanism becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is divided into two separate latch bodies (first latch body and second latch body) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each latch body contains its own latch portion and acting portion, allowing modular assembly without requiring complex integrated structures or additional fastening components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a fixed latch that requires tools to release, the invention employs a rotating acting portion that actively drives the latch portion to move between engaged and disengaged positions. This inversion of the traditional latch operation mode enables tool-free disassembly while reducing overall mechanism complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a rotating acting portion is introduced to enable easy disassembly, then tool-free operation is achieved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating acting portion and the latch portion are merged into a single integrated second latch body, where the acting portion directly drives the latch portion through rotational movement. This combination eliminates the need for separate actuating mechanisms, linkages, or additional components, thereby achieving tool-free operation without significantly increasing overall structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static engaged state to a dynamic disengagement process through the rotational movement of the acting portion. The latch portion is designed to move flexibly between engaged and disengaged positions along a rotational path, enabling easy tool-free operation while maintaining structural simplicity through controlled dynamic motion.
3Reliability
If the latch portion is limited to move along a rotational path, then controlled engagement is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational path of the latch portion is designed with an asymmetric limiting structure that provides different movement constraints in different directions. The limiting structure allows the latch portion to rotate freely in the engagement direction while providing controlled limitation in the disengagement direction, achieving reliable engagement control without requiring complex bilateral constraints or additional guiding mechanisms.
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
Enables easy and tool-free assembly and disassembly of detachable components, enhancing user convenience and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure engagement and disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
the first elastic structure is coupled between the limiting structure and the second base... the first elastic structure is deformed from a released state to a compressed state
Implementation Method 2
the second elastic structure is disposed between the second base and the second acting portion... the second elastic structure is deformed from a released state to a compressed state
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A latch mechanism includes a first and second latch body (100, 200). The first and second latch body (100, 200) respectively includes a first and second base (110, 210), a first and second latch portion (120, 220) and a first and second acting portion (130, 230). The first latch body (100) disposes through the second base (210). The second acting portion (230) is pivoted to the second base (210). The second latch portion (220) is disposed on the rotational path and limited to the first latch portion (120). The second acting portion (230) includes a first and a second pushing structure. When the second acting portion (230) is rotated along the rotational path, the second latch portion (220) is pushed by the first pushing structure such that the second latch portion (220) is disengaged from the first latch portion (120), and then the first acting portion (130) is pushed by the second pushing structure such that the first latch body (100) is disengaged from the second latch body (200) in a releasing direction