Snap-Fit Connection with Movable Stop for Low-Force Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection arrangements face challenges in achieving high holding forces while maintaining low disassembly forces, which can lead to damage during disassembly due to the high forces required.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a movable stop on the first assembly that can shift between active and disassembly positions, allowing the locking element to deform freely during disassembly, thereby reducing the disassembly forces needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the snap-in element is designed to provide high holding forces, then the holding strength is improved, but the disassembly forces become correspondingly high which may damage the snap-in element
Solution Approach 1:
The stop is designed to be movable between a first position (during assembly) and a second position (during disassembly). During assembly, the stop is in the first position to guide and support the snap-in element. During disassembly, the stop moves to the second position to clear the snap-in element, allowing it to deform freely without resistance, thus enabling low-force disassembly while maintaining high holding strength during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the stop between assembly and disassembly operations. By moving the stop between two defined positions, the mechanical constraints on the snap-in element are dynamically adjusted: constrained during assembly for proper positioning, and freed during disassembly to reduce the force required and prevent damage
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 high holding forces during assembly while minimizing the forces required for disassembly, preventing damage to the locking element and facilitating easy separation of the assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable locking element is arranged on the first assembly, which serves for the releasable locking of the first assembly and the second assembly and which deforms into an assembly position during assembly of the two assemblies
Implementation Method 2
the first assembly has a spring that acts on the stop carrier and/or the locking element carrier, so that the stop is urged into the operative position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a connection arrangement (10) having a first assembly (12) and having a second assembly (14), wherein an elastically deformable locking element (42) is arranged on the first assembly and serves to releasably lock the first assembly and the second assembly, which locking element (42), during a mounting of the two assemblies, deforms into a mounting position and, after completion of the mounting process, forms an undercut which counteracts a detachment of the two assemblies, wherein the first assembly has a stop which is movable between an operative position, which supports and maintains the undercut of the locking element and in which the locking element bears on the stop and/or in which the locking element is deformable onto the stop, and a detachment position, in which the stop, in relation to the operative position, is spaced farther apart from the locking element, and in which the locking element is deformable into a detachment position for the detachment of the two assemblies.