Thin Wall Latch with Segmented Body and Metal Holding Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latch technologies for thin walls, such as socket wrench latches and sash latches, face limitations in mounting simplicity, disassembly requirements, vibration resistance, and sturdiness, often relying on plastic material properties for holding force and requiring specific designs for locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design separates the body part and holding elements into distinct components, allowing for adjustable spring force through spiral springs and wedge devices, enabling adaptable locking forces and simplified mounting without loose parts or specialized tools, and incorporating materials like polyamide and metal for varying loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the holding elements are made from plastic material with spring tension, then the latch can be mounted simply without loose parts, but the holding force cannot be made as high as desired and depends on the plastic material properties
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is divided into two separate parts: a plastic body part that provides the mounting structure and spring tension, and a separate holding element made of metal or rigid material that provides the required holding force. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function - the plastic body for easy mounting and the metal element for high holding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses composite construction by combining plastic material (for the body part providing spring tension) with metal material (for the holding element providing high holding force). This composite approach allows the latch to achieve both easy mounting through plastic elasticity and high holding force through metal strength.
2Device complexity
If the body part and holding element are made as one integral piece, then the structure is simpler, but the holding force is limited by the plastic material properties and cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is separated from the body part, allowing independent selection of materials and properties. The body part can be made of plastic for simplicity while the separate holding element can be made of metal with adjustable properties, including holding force through different spring arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation allows the holding element to be made dynamic with adjustable spring force through different spring arrangements (spiral springs, wedge devices), enabling the holding force to be adapted to different tasks while keeping the body part structure simple.
3Reliability
If the latch uses a specific design with round housing and lock cylinder, then the tongues can be locked after mounting, but the design is very particular and not adaptable to different shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The separated holding element design creates a universal mounting solution that can be adapted to different latch shapes and applications. The same basic structure with separate body part and holding element can serve various functions and geometries, unlike the specific round housing design.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows parameter changes in the holding element (material, spring force, geometry) to adapt to different applications while maintaining the same fundamental mounting principle, providing versatility without sacrificing locking reliability.
4Device complexity
If the holding force depends on the plastic material used, then the structure remains simple, but the holding force magnitude is limited and cannot be adapted to different tasks
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the holding element from the plastic body part, the solution allows the holding force to be determined by the metal holding element and its spring arrangement rather than being limited by plastic material properties, while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force in the holding element can be freely selected and adjusted through different spring arrangements (spiral springs, wedge devices with conical screws), allowing the holding force magnitude to be adapted to different tasks independently of the plastic body part.
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 solution provides a sturdy, vibration-resistant latch system with adjustable locking force, suitable for different shapes and loads, ensuring secure mounting and easy installation without the need for nuts or screws, and enhancing the latch's overall robustness and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
two holding elements which are arranged diametrically opposite from one another are provided and are supported by spring arrangements such as spiral springs and/or wedge devices such as conical screws
Implementation Method 2
the spring arrangements can be provided with spring force that, in itself, can be freely selected, the locking force can be adapted to the task at hand
Data Source
AI summary
The description relates to a latch such as a socket wrench latch, swivel lever latch (10), folding lever latch, sash latch for mounting in openings (12, 14) in a thin wall (16, 50), comprising a head part (24) which is to be arranged on one, outer side (18) of the thin wall (16) and which overlaps the outer rim (20) of the opening, and a body part (26, 28, 30, 32) which proceeds from the head part (24) and projects through the opening in the mounted position, and holding elements (36) which project from the body part (26, 28, 30, 32) and are flexible in direction of its outer surface, the free end of these holding elements (36) being provided with an inclined surface (38) for supporting the body part without play on the rim or edge (40) of the opening of the other, inner side (42) of the thin wall (16), characterized in that the body part (26, 28, 30, 32) and holding element (36) are two separate parts.