Single-Member Fastening Structure With Visible Lock Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastening structures for object detection devices, such as those using passive infrared sensors, require multiple components, increasing cost and complexity, and lack visual confirmation of the locked state, making them difficult to operate and confirm.
Innovation Solution
A fastening structure using a single fastening member with a trunk portion, come-off prevention portion, and helical protrusion, allowing visual confirmation of the locked state through protrusion upon rotation, and ensuring secure attachment and detachment with a click-like feeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components are used for screw come-off prevention, then the fastening reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated fastening member. The fastening member includes a head portion with come-off prevention protrusions, a trunk portion with external threads, and integrates both the come-off prevention function and the fastening function into one component, eliminating the need for separate O-rings or spacer collars.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fastening through external threads that engage with internal threads in the housing, prevents come-off through protrusions on the head portion, and enables tool engagement through a groove in the head portion. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed.
2Reliability
If a lid-like member with marks is used for opening/closing, then the fastening function is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of visual confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicators through color or transparency changes. The fastening member or housing portions are designed with different transparency levels or colors that change based on the fastening state, allowing visual confirmation of whether the device is locked or unlocked without requiring marks or labels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the fastening state by making the fastening member or housing portions transparent or translucent. This allows users to visually confirm the locked state by looking through the housing, adding a visual verification layer without requiring additional marks or indicators on surfaces.
3Device complexity
If a single fastening member is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing come-off may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated fastening member. The fastening member includes a head portion with come-off prevention protrusions, a trunk portion with external threads, and integrates both the come-off prevention function and the fastening function into one component, eliminating the need for separate O-rings or spacer collars.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structural design where the fastening member integrates different functional elements (come-off prevention protrusions, external threads, tool engagement groove) into a single composite component. This composite structure maintains the reliability of come-off prevention while reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution enables easy visual recognition of the locked state and secure fastening with a single component, reducing complexity and cost while improving design aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
The fastening member has a helical protrusion at a part of the trunk portion. The fitting portion has a helical groove configured to be screwed with the helical protrusion
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a fastening structure and an object detection device including the fastening structure that at least improve ease of visual recognition and achieve fastening by one component. The fastening structure is for fastening one member and another member via a fastening member provided to the one member, and includes: a fitting portion having a fitting hole in the one member; a to-be-fitted portion having a to-be-fitted hole in the other member; and the fastening member inserted into the fitting hole and configured to fit the fitting portion and the to-be-fitted portion to each other by being inserted into the to-be-fitted hole. The fastening member has: a trunk portion having a cylindrical or columnar shape, between one end and another end of the fastening member; a tool groove at the one end; a come-off prevention portion at the other end, the come-off prevention portion having a greater radius in a cross-section thereof than a radius in a cross-section of the trunk portion; and a helical protrusion at a part of the trunk portion. The fitting portion has a helical groove configured to be screwed with the helical protrusion. A radius of the fitting hole is less than the radius of the come-off prevention portion, and a radius of the to-be-fitted hole is not less than the radius of the come-off prevention portion.