Swivel Latch Mechanism for Quick Release and Secure Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-release latches are cumbersome to release, requiring significant force and unusual movements, which is disadvantageous in situations requiring rapid disconnection, such as safety applications, and limits the range of motion and flexibility of items equipped with them.
Innovation Solution
The design of a quick-release swivel latch with a male and female component that engage through an arc slot and ball indent slot, allowing the components to swivel and providing a cantilever wall that can be easily pulled to disengage the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing latch designs are used, then secure engagement is achieved, but release requires significant force and unusual movements making it cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates a swivel ball that can dynamically transition between engaged and disengaged positions within the arc slot, allowing the release mechanism to move the ball along a curved path rather than requiring direct linear force against the retention spring, thereby enabling easy release while maintaining secure engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel ball acts as an intermediary element between the retention spring and the release mechanism. When releasing the latch, the user pulls the release mechanism which moves the swivel ball along the arc slot, and the ball's position change mediates the disengagement process, transferring the release action effectively against the spring force
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing static latch designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but range of motion and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The incorporation of the swivel ball that can rotate and move within the arc slot introduces dynamic adaptability to the latch structure. This allows the male and female components to swivel relative to each other while engaged, providing range of motion without requiring complex articulated mechanisms, as the ball's movement within the constrained arc slot provides the necessary flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The arc slot is positioned at an angle relative to the retention spring axis, creating a dimensional relationship where the swivel ball moves along a curved path that is neither purely linear nor purely rotational. This angular positioning of the arc slot enables the latch to accommodate angular misalignment and provide swiveling motion while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
3Productivity
If existing latch designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but quick disconnection capability is insufficient for safety applications
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic swivel mechanism allows the release action to be performed by simply pulling the release mechanism in a natural pulling motion, which moves the swivel ball along the arc slot to disengage the retention spring. This dynamic release mechanism enables quick disconnection for safety applications while adding minimal complexity to the overall latch structure
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to push or manipulate a complex release mechanism, the design inverts the approach by having a simple pull action on the release mechanism that naturally moves the swivel ball to the disengaged position. The release mechanism is positioned and oriented such that a natural pulling motion directly translates to latch release, enabling rapid disconnection
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-release swivel latch may include male and female components configured to selectively connect to, swivel relative to, and detach from one another. The male component may include an arc slot and a central indent, while the female component may include outer surfaces that collectively form a chamber for receiving an insertable portion of the male component. The top surface of the female component may include a cantilever wall having a front lip and a central protrusion corresponding in shape, size, and/or arrangement to and configured to engage the arc slot and ball indent slot on the male component. These corresponding features, once engaged, may enable the male and female components to swivel in one or more dimensions relative to one another once connected, and a user to pull up on the cantilever wall to quickly disengage the male and female components.