Wearable Connection Assembly with Elastic Clamping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable device connection carriers, such as chain-type metal watchbands and plastic watchbands, are prone to damage and inconvenient to replace, failing to meet user demands for frequent style changes and easy disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A connection assembly featuring a support member with an accommodating groove, a first clamping member, and a second clamping member with an elastic member, allowing for detachable and convenient connection and disconnection without additional hardware support, facilitating easy replacement and adaptation to different styles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If chain-type metal watchbands or plastic watchbands are used as connection carriers, then diversified appearances and personalized styles are achieved, but the connection carriers are prone to damage and inconvenient to replace during repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestyle diversityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection assembly is divided into a support member and a clamping member that can be detached from each other. The support member remains fixed to the device body while the clamping member can be removed and replaced independently, allowing users to change styles without replacing the entire connection carrier, thus improving both durability and style adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping member is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the support member. This allows the clamping member to be removed and replaced independently when damaged or for style changes, while the support member remains in place, solving the problem of inconvenient replacement and reducing wear on the main connection structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional locking assemblies are used for attachment units, then secure connection is achieved, but the disassembly process becomes complex and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoiddisassembly convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping member incorporates an elastic member that automatically provides clamping force to secure the connection. When the operating part is released, the elastic member self-actuates to clamp the clamping groove, providing secure connection without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the operating part and the clamping groove. It translates the user's simple insertion action into automatic clamping force, mediating between the user's input and the secure connection requirement, thus simplifying operation while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If connection carriers are designed for frequent replacement to meet user style requirements, then adaptability is improved, but wear and tear on the connection components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement frequencyVSAvoidcomponent durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection assembly is segmented into a durable support member that remains fixed and a replaceable clamping member. This segmentation allows frequent replacement of the clamping member for style changes while the support member maintains its structural integrity and is not subjected to repeated wear from assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping member is extracted as the sacrificial replaceable component that absorbs the wear from frequent installation and removal. The support member remains in place and is not subjected to repeated mechanical stress, preserving its strength and durability over time while allowing unlimited style changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 provides a simple and convenient disassembly mechanism, reducing wear and tear on connection carriers and enabling users to easily switch between styles, enhancing user experience and device durability.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member which is connected to the second clamping part and located on a side, facing away from the opening, of the second clamping part, and the elastic member is elastically deformable by an external force to drive the second clamping part to be extended or retracted from the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the sliding part of the slider is in the sliding groove, the operating part can drive the sliding part to move in the sliding groove by an external force to generate an extrusion force to a wall of the sliding groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4091495B1Connection assembly and wearable device
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4091495B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4091495B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4091495B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a connection assembly and a wearable device. A connection assembly includes: a support member (101) including a support body (102) and an accommodating groove (103) on the support body (102); a first clamping member (104) including a fixing part (105) and a first clamping part (106), the fixing part (105) and the support member (101) being buckled to form an accommodating space with the accommodating groove (103), the accommodating space having an opening, and the first clamping part (106) is adapted to be detachably clamped into a first clamping groove of a to-be-connected body by an external force; a second clamping member (107) including a second clamping part (108) which is arranged at least partially in the accommodating space and can be extended or retracted from the opening of the accommodating space to be clamped into or separated from a second clamping groove of the to-be-connected body; and a clamping face of the first clamping part and a clamping face of the second clamping part are in different planes.