Pivoting Vent Stop with Integrated Resilient Detent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pivoting vent stop devices are either inconvenient to use, complex, costly, or require extra parts and assembly operations, leading to increased manufacturing and assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A two-part pivoting vent stop device comprising a housing and a tumbler, both made of injection molded plastic, with an integrally formed resilient detent arrangement that allows self-retention in retracted or extended positions without additional springs, using detent projections and recesses in the housing side walls to provide a two-position detent mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate spring-biased latch mechanism with push-button release is used, then the tumbler can be retained in retracted position, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring and latch functions are merged into a single integrated component that forms part of the housing structure. The resilient portion of the housing combines the spring element with the latch mechanism, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable tumbler retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the spring mechanism, provides the latch function through its resilient portion, and guides the tumbler movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Reliability
If a contoured housing bottom with sliding spring is used, then self-retention is achieved, but extra parts and assembly operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is merged with the housing structure itself, forming an integrated resilient portion rather than a separate component. This eliminates the need for separate assembly operations to install the spring and reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled.
3Ease of manufacture
If a two-part injection molded construction with resilient detent arrangement is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the device must achieve self-retention without additional springs
Solution Approach 1:
The detent arrangement is merged into the basic two-part construction itself, using the resilient portion of the housing as both the spring element and the structural component. This eliminates the need for additional parts while achieving the required self-retention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing material is selected to have specific resilient properties that enable the detent arrangement to function. By changing the material parameters (using resilient plastic for the housing), the structure itself can provide the spring function without additional mechanical components.
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
The device achieves functional self-retention in either position with minimal parts, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs while maintaining performance, and is easily assembled by pressing the tumbler into the housing, eliminating the need for complex release mechanisms and extra parts.
Implementation Method 1
an integrally formed resilient detent arrangement whereby the tumbler is self-retaining in either of its retracted or extended positions
Data Source
AI summary
A fully functioning, pivoting vent stop for sliding windows has only two parts, a housing and a pivoting tumbler, both formed of injection molded plastic material. The tumbler is pivotally mounted in the housing and has integral detent elements cooperating with detent elements on the housing walls to position the tumbler in recessed or extended limit positions. The cooperating detent elements also provide an over-centering spring action as the tumbler is actuated between its limit positions. Assembly of the two-part device is achieved in a highly simplified and economical manner by configuring an internal cavity in the housing with inclined slots in the internal side walls of the housing. This enables the tumbler to be resiliently pressed into the cavity, temporarily displacing the housing side walls outwardly, until the cooperating pivot and detent elements are fully engaged.