X-Shaped Cable Lock Structure for Zipper Pull Tab Protection
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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-shaped cross state, reducing the force applied to zipper pull tabs by allowing the cable to twist and bend without snapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a twistable cable with considerable rigidity is used to lock luggage, then the cable can maintain its locking function, but it may snap the zipper pull tabs during transportation when the housing is tossed around
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is segmented into multiple flexible sections or strands that can independently bend and twist. This segmentation allows the cable to absorb mechanical stress from housing movement through distributed flexing rather than rigid transmission, preventing force concentration that would snap zipper pull tabs while maintaining overall locking strength
Solution Approach 2:
The cable's physical parameters are modified by changing its structural composition from a solid rigid core to a multi-strand flexible construction. This parameter change enables the cable to dynamically adjust its flexibility-rigidity balance, remaining rigid enough to secure the lock mechanism while being flexible enough to comply with housing movement without damaging connected components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cable is made more flexible to prevent zipper pull tab snapping, then damage during transportation is reduced, but the locking strength and security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cable employs segmented construction where multiple thin strands are bundled together, creating a structure that is flexible yet maintains tensile strength. The segmentation allows individual strands to flex independently during housing movement, preventing zipper damage, while the collective bundle maintains sufficient locking strength through distributed load bearing
Solution Approach 2:
The cable utilizes composite material construction combining different material properties - typically a flexible outer sheath material with high-tensile inner strand materials. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed to prevent zipper pull tab snapping during transportation and the strength required to maintain secure locking function
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.