Snap-Fit Coupling Control for Fast Repeated Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for coupling and decoupling objects using screws are inefficient and difficult, particularly in repeatedly and rapidly attaching and detaching devices from objects.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a head portion and a body portion that allows for lateral, vertical, or rotational buoyancy, featuring a resilient component for movement and restoring functions, enabling rapid and repeated coupling and decoupling of objects through engagement and snap-engagement mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are used to couple objects to a device, then the coupling is secure and inseparable, but the demounting process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resilient component that enables dynamic movement between coupled and uncoupled states. The resilient component allows the device to transition from a fixed coupled state to a movable uncoupled state, facilitating easy demounting while maintaining secure coupling during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into a body portion and a head portion that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the head portion to be independently moved away from the body portion during demounting, simplifying the separation process while maintaining the integrity of the overall coupling mechanism.
2Reliability
If conventional screw fastening is used, then objects are securely coupled, but the coupling and decoupling processes are inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient component enables rapid transition between coupled and uncoupled states by storing and releasing mechanical energy. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the time-consuming screw tightening and loosening processes, significantly improving coupling efficiency while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient component automatically restores the device to its coupled position after demounting operations. This self-restoring mechanism reduces the manual effort required for repeated coupling and decoupling operations, thereby improving productivity in applications requiring frequent attachment and detachment.
3Reliability
If the device structure is made rigid for stable coupling, then coupling security is maintained, but the ability to rapidly shift and restore positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient component introduces controlled flexibility to the device structure, allowing rapid lateral and rotational shifting during demounting operations. After the shifting action, the resilient component automatically restores the device to its stable coupled position, thus achieving both high shifting speed and coupling stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device structure transitions between different rigidity states: a rigid coupled state for stable operation and a flexible uncoupled state for rapid shifting. The resilient component enables this parameter change, allowing the structure to be rigid when coupled and flexible when being moved, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and shifting speed.
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 efficient and rapid coupling and decoupling of objects by allowing the head and body portions to shift and restore positions, facilitating repeated use and optimizing engagement processes.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient component is disposed between the head portion and the body portion and adapted to abut against the head portion or the body portion and thereby cause the head portion or the body portion to undergo a lateral, vertical or rotational movement
Implementation Method 2
a restoring movement performed after motion and intended to restore to a pre-motion position
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a head portion and a body portion. The body portion is movably fitted to the head portion. Lateral buoyancy level, vertical buoyancy level or rotational buoyancy level between the head portion and the body portion enables the shifting, tightening, restrictive abutment or rotational abutment between the head portion and the body portion. Therefore, the body portion of the control device is fitted to a body portion of a first object, and the head portion of the control device engages or removes a second object, so as to achieve the coupling and separating of the first and second objects. Hence, the control device can couple together and separate the first and second objects repeatedly and rapidly.