Securing Mechanism with Displaced Locking Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional securing mechanisms with integrally formed locking pieces struggle to finely adjust the pushing amount when securing to varying thicknesses of plate members, as only one locking piece effectively engages, and the rest are underutilized, limiting the mechanism's adaptability and precision.
Innovation Solution
A securing mechanism with a supporting column, elastic pieces, and multiple arrays of locking pieces, where the elastic pieces deform to extract the supporting column and locking pieces are positioned to catch the hole's peripheral area, allowing for finer adjustments by displacing locking pieces within arrays, enabling smaller incremental pushing amounts and improved coming-off inhibition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple locking pieces are provided in a single array with uniform spacing, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the pushing amount cannot be finely adjusted and only one locking piece effectively engages
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pieces are divided into multiple arrays (first array and second array) with different spacing intervals. This segmentation allows different locking pieces to engage at different pushing distances, enabling fine adjustment of the pushing amount while maintaining simple manufacturing within each array.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-dimensional array to a multi-dimensional arrangement with multiple arrays having different spacing patterns. This dimensional change enables multiple engagement points along the pushing direction, achieving fine adjustment capability without complicating individual array structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If locking pieces are made elastically deformable with smaller outer diameter, then the mechanism can be secured to thicker plate members, but the gap pitch between locking pieces must be increased to provide movable area
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple arrays of locking pieces are arranged with different spacing intervals. This segmentation allows the mechanism to adapt to various plate thicknesses by engaging different numbers and positions of locking pieces, eliminating the need for large gap pitches while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing interval parameter is varied across different arrays. By having first arrays with one spacing interval and second arrays with a different spacing interval, the system can accommodate different plate thicknesses without requiring uniformly large gaps between all locking pieces.
3Ease of operation
If locking pieces are arranged with minimum gap pitch for movable area, then individual locking pieces can change positions, but the pushing amount cannot be less than the gap pitch interval
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pieces are segmented into multiple arrays with different spacing intervals. This allows different locking pieces to engage at different pushing distances, enabling precise control of pushing amount while maintaining sufficient movable area within each array for ease of operation.
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
This configuration allows for precise adjustment and secure attachment to both thin and thick plate members with smaller incremental steps, enhancing the mechanism's adaptability and strength while maintaining productivity through simpler mold design.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic piece is configured to be elastically deformed so as to exert on the supporting column a force in a direction of extracting the supporting column from the hole
Data Source
AI summary
A securing mechanism comprises a supporting column, an elastic piece, and a plurality of locking pieces. When the supporting column is inserted into a hole, at least one of the plurality of locking pieces is caught by or brought into pressure-contact with an outlet-side peripheral portion of the hole or an inner circumferential portion of the hole. The plurality of locking pieces form a plurality of arrays extending in a projection direction of the supporting column. The locking pieces included in each array of the plurality of arrays are aligned spaced apart from one another in the projection direction of the supporting column. The plurality of arrays comprise a first array and a second array; positions of the locking pieces in the first array are displaced from positions of the corresponding locking pieces in the second array in the projection direction of the supporting column.