Twistable Cable Lock Structure to Prevent Zipper Tab Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable locks with twistable cables can snap zipper pull tabs during luggage transportation due to their rigidity, especially when the housing is tossed around, and intentional continuous twisting can further damage the tabs.
Innovation Solution
A cable lock design featuring a housing with varying hole sizes and a twistable cable that forms an X-shaped cross state, reducing the force applied to zipper pull tabs by distributing the twistability and incorporating a combination and key lock mechanism for secure locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cable is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the cable can effectively lock objects, but the cable may snap zipper pull tabs during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into multiple sections with different properties: a rigid section for locking strength and a flexible section for absorbing movement. This segmentation allows the cable to maintain structural integrity while reducing damage to zipper pull tabs during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the cable have different qualities - the first cable section has higher rigidity for locking function, while the second cable section has lower rigidity and higher flexibility to reduce harm to the locked object during movement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cable is made flexible to reduce damage to zipper pull tabs, then the cable can absorb twisting stress, but the cable loses locking effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into multiple sections with different properties: a rigid section for locking strength and a flexible section for absorbing movement. This segmentation allows the cable to maintain structural integrity while reducing damage to zipper pull tabs during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with both rigid and flexible sections. The flexible section allows the cable to adapt to movement and twisting forces while maintaining the locking function through the rigid section.
3Volume of moving object
If the housing is made compact to improve portability, then the cable lock is easier to carry, but the cable has less space to twist and may snap zipper pull tabs
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into multiple sections with different properties: a rigid section for locking strength and a flexible section for absorbing movement. This segmentation allows the cable to maintain structural integrity while reducing damage to zipper pull tabs during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable's physical parameters are changed along its length - the first section has higher rigidity while the second section has lower rigidity and higher flexibility. This parameter change allows the cable to function effectively in a compact housing while reducing damage to locked objects.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a cable lock with a cable capable of being twisted into an X-shape cross state and remains in that state. In addition, the cable lock further includes a combination lock mechanism, an elastic member and a key lock mechanism. The elastic member includes a plurality of arc-shape elastic sheets engaging with multiple dials of the combination lock mechanism. The key lock mechanism includes a blocking portion and a push portion. When the key lock mechanism is unlocked, the blocking portion leaves from blocking a lower-section of the cable, and the push portion pushes the lower-section to move.