Spring-Elastic Connection Assembly for Low-Force Secure Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection arrangements for long bodies, such as profiles and panels, face challenges in achieving a balance between easy assembly and secure holding forces, with current solutions often requiring high assembly forces and allowing easy disassembly, which can lead to instability in the assembled state.
Innovation Solution
The connection arrangement features latching elements with two movement paths, where the first part of the movement path is shorter than the second, allowing for low assembly forces and high disassembly forces, with stop surfaces on opposite sides of the plane of relative movement to enhance holding stability, and the latching elements are spring-elastic, made from materials like thermoplastic elastomers or metals, extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the relative movement plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection arrangements are used, then assembly is straightforward, but holding forces are insufficient and disassembly is too easy
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is designed as a spring-elastic component that can dynamically change its state between latched and unlatched positions. The element flexes during assembly to engage with the stop surface, creating high holding forces in the assembled state while allowing controlled disassembly when force is applied to overcome the elastic resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the latching element from rigid to spring-elastic, allowing it to deform elastically during engagement. This parameter change enables the element to store mechanical energy during assembly and release it during disassembly, creating asymmetric force characteristics where assembly requires overcoming elastic deformation while holding maintains high force through the elastic state.
2Reliability
If high assembly forces are applied to ensure secure connection, then holding forces are improved, but assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-elastic latching element dynamically adapts to the assembly process by flexing during engagement and then maintaining a stable latched state. This dynamic behavior allows easy initial engagement (low assembly force) followed by automatic locking that provides high holding forces without requiring continuous application of high assembly forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching element performs self-service by automatically transitioning from a flexible engagement state to a locked holding state once engaged with the stop surface. The elastic deformation during assembly automatically generates the holding force needed, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or sustained high assembly forces to maintain connection stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the movement path is made longer to allow for adjustment, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The movement path is segmented into two distinct parts: a first part along a first direction and a second part along a second direction. This segmentation allows the latching element to achieve complex positioning through sequential movements in different directions rather than requiring a single complex linear path, thereby providing positioning flexibility while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear movement path to a two-dimensional path by introducing a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. This dimensional change allows the latching element to access multiple positions and orientations without increasing the overall length of the movement path, providing positioning flexibility while avoiding the complexity of longer single-direction paths.
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 easy assembly with low forces and secure holding with high forces, providing stability and adjustability, making it suitable for components like construction profiles, while also being difficult to disassemble, thus maintaining the assembly state effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The latching elements are advantageously spring-elastic as a whole or at least in a partial area. It is preferred that the latching elements are made, at least in sections, from a spring-elastic material, for example from a thermoplastic elastomer.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a connection assembly (10), comprising a first component (12) and a second component (14) which, starting from a disassembled state in which they are separated from one another, can be joined to one another along a relative movement plane (16) parallel to respective extension planes of the components (12, 14) and can be moved into an assembled state in which they are connected to one another, and again into the disassembled state, in each case at least one detent element (18, 19) being arranged on the first component (12) on both sides of the relative movement plane, and two detent element receptacles (20, 21) being arranged on the second component (14) and each interacting with a detent region (36, 38) of one of the two detent elements (18, 19) in the assembled state.