X-Shape Cable Lock Structure to Protect Zipper Pull Tabs
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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, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A cable lock design featuring a housing with varying hole sizes and a twistable cable that forms an X-shape, allowing high compliance with housing twists and reducing force on zipper pull tabs, combined with a dual-lock mechanism for secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cable is made rigid to maintain locking stability, then the locking reliability is improved, but the cable may snap the zipper pull tabs during twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into multiple sections with different properties: a rigid locking section for maintaining locking stability and a flexible twisting section that can bend and twist without snapping the zipper pull tabs. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the cable have different mechanical properties - the locking portion maintains rigidity for reliable locking, while the twisting portion is designed with flexibility to accommodate housing movement without damaging the zipper pull tabs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cable is made flexible to prevent snapping, then the harm to zipper pull tabs is reduced, but the locking stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flexible section near the zipper pull tabs that bends with housing movement, and a rigid locking section that maintains stable locking. This resolves the contradiction by providing both flexibility and stability in different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable design incorporates multi-dimensional flexibility, allowing the cable to bend and twist in multiple directions along its length while maintaining structural integrity for locking, thus preventing damage without compromising stability.
3Device complexity
If the housing is made compact for portability, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cable has less space to twist and may snap
Solution Approach 1:
The compact housing contains a segmented cable system where the twisting section is specifically designed with sufficient length and flexibility to accommodate housing movement even in compact form, while the locking section remains rigid for secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable's physical parameters are optimized - the twisting section has adjusted flexibility and length parameters that allow adequate movement range within the compact housing dimensions, preventing snapping while maintaining portability.
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.