A mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring.

Abstract

This utility model provides a mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a return spring and an unlocking spring, including a base and a spring seat connected vertically. The base has an opening, and a blocking part extending inward is provided below the opening. The spring seat is a hollow structure with a through hole inside. A protrusion extends outward from the bottom of the spring seat, and a set screw is screwed into a threaded hole below the through hole. A locking tongue is provided between the set screw and the blocking part, and the lower end of the locking tongue extends into the hollow structure of the spring seat. A slider is provided on the outside of the base, and a return spring is provided between the slider and the protrusion. An unlocking spring is provided between the locking tongue and the set screw. A side hole is provided on the side of the base 1, where a steel ball is placed. When the slider is pressed down, the steel ball is pushed outward by the locking tongue to prevent the slider from rising, forming a locked state. In the locked state, pressing the locking tongue down through the opening causes the slider to return the steel ball to its original position via the return spring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a locking mechanism, and more particularly to a mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional equipment, similar locking mechanisms have obvious shortcomings. For example, the commonly used spring / card strip deformation scheme for optical modules is prone to elastic decay and deformation recovery due to high-frequency insertion and removal, resulting in poor locking performance. The lifting unlocking of the master controller handle requires manual reset, which is prone to misoperation due to forgetting and is also cumbersome. In the aerospace field, the unlocking of pyrotechnic devices has a large impact and causes pollution. Shape memory alloys are sensitive to temperature, and hot knife unlocking also requires a low-impact solution more adapted to the space environment. Computer key unlocking levers are often exposed or prone to accidental pop-out, and are easily damaged by drops and collisions, increasing safety risks. At the same time, locking mechanisms in complex machinery are difficult to integrate with "automatic + manual" unlocking, resulting in poor integration. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model provides a mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring, which solves the design problem of the new locking mechanism. The technical solution is as follows:

[0004] A mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a return spring and an unlocking spring includes a base and a spring seat connected vertically. The base has an opening, and a blocking part extending inward is provided below the opening. The spring seat is a hollow structure with a through hole inside. A protrusion extends outward from the bottom of the spring seat, and a set screw is screwed into a threaded hole below the through hole. A locking tongue is provided between the set screw and the blocking part, and the lower end of the locking tongue extends into the hollow structure of the spring seat. A slider is provided on the outside of the base, and a return spring is provided between the slider and the protrusion. An unlocking spring is provided between the locking tongue and the set screw. A side hole is provided on the side of the base 1, where a steel ball is placed. When the slider is pressed down, the steel ball is pushed outward by the locking tongue to prevent the slider from rising, forming a locked state. In the locked state, pressing the locking tongue downward through the opening causes the slider to return the steel ball to its original position via the return spring.

[0005] The bottom of the base is connected and fixed to the spring seat by a snap-fit ​​component, so that the opening is aligned with the through hole of the spring seat.

[0006] The locking tongue is divided into a top post, a first conical part, a cylinder, a second conical part, and a vertical post from top to bottom. The diameter of the top post is smaller than that of the cylinder, and the two are connected by the first conical part. The diameter of the vertical post is smaller than that of the cylinder, and the two are connected by the second conical part.

[0007] The lower end of the column extends into the through hole of the spring seat, and a sleeve is provided below it. The diameter of the sleeve is smaller than that of the column, and the sleeve is connected to the unlocking spring.

[0008] The substrate has multiple side holes on its side, and at least one side hole is provided with a steel ball. The diameter of the steel column is larger than the diameter of the side hole.

[0009] The side holes are evenly arranged on the side of the substrate, and there are 3-6 of them.

[0010] The outer side of the base is provided with wings to define the initial position of the slider.

[0011] The set screw is screwed into the threaded hole below the through hole and fixed by the threaded connection, which can finely adjust the preload of the unlocking spring.

[0012] The slider has an inclined surface on its inner side to compress the steel ball and make it move inward.

[0013] The mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of the reset spring and the unlocking spring has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. Reduce wear and tear on elastic components:

[0015] The system replaces the direct reliance on spring deformation with "axial movement of the locking tongue + force conversion of steel balls + linkage of sliders", reducing repeated deformation of key components (such as locking strips / springs), adapting to high-frequency plugging and unplugging scenarios of optical modules and small devices, and extending service life.

[0016] 2. Optimize operation and security logic:

[0017] If applied to a master controller, an unlocking trigger of "pressing down / rotating the set screw" can be designed to replace the lifting operation, combined with a reset spring for automatic return to avoid misoperation; if used in a safety device to prevent misoperation, the locking structure of the locking tongue and the slider can stably store the unlocking rod (or similar actuator), reducing the risk of exposed damage and accidental ejection.

[0018] 3. Adaptable to special environmental requirements:

[0019] Extending to fields such as aerospace, the purely mechanical spring-ball mechanism requires no pyrotechnics and does not rely on temperature-sensitive materials. It can serve as a sub-unit for low-impact unlocking or be combined with solutions such as carbon fiber melting and shape memory alloys to supplement mechanical backup unlocking functions and improve reliability in complex environments.

[0020] 4. Enhanced integration and multi-functional compatibility:

[0021] The mechanism's "base-multi-component linkage" structure can be more flexibly integrated into the equipment drive system. Through the force transmission of the set screw and slider, it connects the motor / manual operation end without the need for an additional complex clutch mechanism, making it suitable for scenarios with high requirements for space and functional integration, such as aerospace and vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of the reset spring and the unlocking spring;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the locking tongue;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the tooling pressing the slider downwards;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the tooling pressing the slider down into place;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the tooling moving upwards;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the locked state of the mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of the reset spring and the unlocking spring;

[0028] The labels in the diagram are as follows:

[0029] 1-Base; 2-Lock tongue; 3-Steel ball; 4-Slider; 5-Unlocking spring; 6-Reset spring; 7-Setting screw; 8-Spring seat; 9-Threaded hole; 10-Protrusion; 11-Opening; 12-Side hole; 13-Blocking part; 21-Top post; 22-First conical part; 23-Cylinder; 24-Second conical part; 25-Post; 26-Sleeve rod. Detailed Implementation

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring includes a base 1 and a spring seat 8 connected vertically. The base 1 has an opening 11, and a blocking part 13 extending inward is provided below the opening 11. The spring seat 8 is a hollow structure with a through hole inside. A protrusion 10 extends outward from the bottom of the spring seat 8, and a set screw 7 is screwed into a threaded hole 9 below the through hole. A locking tongue 2 is provided between the set screw 7 and the blocking part 13, and the lower end of the locking tongue 2 extends into the spring. The spring seat 8 has a hollow structure; a slider 4 is provided on the outer side of the base 1, and a return spring 6 is provided between the slider 4 and the protrusion 10; an unlocking spring 5 is provided between the locking tongue 2 and the set screw 7; a side hole 12 is provided on the side of the base 1, and a steel ball 3 is placed therein. When the slider 4 is pressed down, the steel ball 3 is pushed outward by the locking tongue 2 to prevent the slider 4 from rising, forming a locked state; by pressing the locking tongue 2 downward through the opening 11, the slider 4 returns the steel ball 3 to its original position through the return spring 6, and then returns to the initial position.

[0031] Combination Figure 2As shown, the base 1 is the core carrier, on which all components are assembled, providing installation reference and spatial constraints. Wings (not numbered in the figure) are provided on its outer side to define the initial position of the slider 4. The bottom of the base 1 is connected and fixed to the spring seat 8 via a snap-fit ​​component, so that the opening 11 is aligned with the through hole of the spring seat 8.

[0032] The locking tongue 2 is divided into a top post 21, a first conical part 22, a cylinder 23, a second conical part 24, a pillar 25, and a sleeve 26 from top to bottom. The diameter of the top post 21 is smaller than that of the cylinder 23, and the two are connected by the first conical part 22. The diameter of the pillar 25 is smaller than that of the cylinder 23, and the two are connected by the second conical part 24. The lower end of the pillar 25 extends into the through hole of the spring seat 8. The diameter of the sleeve 26 is smaller than that of the pillar 25, and the sleeve 26 is connected to the unlocking spring 5.

[0033] The locking tongue 2 passes through the central hole of the base 1, and its upper end is associated with an external mechanism (such as the locked component); the middle part cooperates with the steel ball 3 through the inclined surface of the first tapered part 22. The steel ball 3 is embedded in the contact position between the locking tongue 2 and the slider 4 to transmit force and movement.

[0034] The base 1 has multiple side holes 12 on its side, and at least one side hole 12 is provided with a steel ball 3. The diameter of the steel ball 3 is larger than the diameter of the side hole 12 to prevent it from being squeezed out of the side hole 12. The slider 4 is assembled into the side groove of the base 1 and contacts the steel ball 3. It is pushed by the steel ball 3 to slide perpendicular to the locking tongue axis, which is linked to the unlocking or locking action.

[0035] The slider 4 is assembled in the groove on the side of the base 1 and contacts the steel ball 3.

[0036] The reset spring 6 is sleeved on the outside of the spring seat 8 and is used to reset the slider 4 by pushing the slider 4 to the wing.

[0037] The set screw 7 is screwed into the threaded hole 9 below the through hole and fixed by the threaded connection, and the preload of the unlocking spring 5 can be finely adjusted.

[0038] Combination Figures 3 to 6 As shown, this utility model has the following states:

[0039] Initial state: Under the action of the return spring 6, the slider 4 contacts the upper wing. At this time, the inner side of the slider 4 contacts the steel ball 3, and the first conical part 22 of the locking tongue 2 contacts the steel ball 3.

[0040] Locked state: When the slider 4 is subjected to external force and moves downward, when the slider 4 exposes the side hole 12, the locking tongue 2 moves upward under the action of the unlocking spring 5, squeezing the steel ball 3 into the side hole 12. Then, its cylindrical part 23 blocks the steel ball 3. At this time, the slider 4 is no longer subjected to external force and moves upward, but it can only stop moving due to the action of the steel ball 3 protruding from the side hole 12, thus forming a locked state.

[0041] Unlocking logic: An external force is applied to the top post 21 of the latch 2, causing the column 25 to press down the unlocking spring 5; when the inclined surface of the first conical part 22 of the latch 2 faces the steel ball 3, the slider 4 moves upward under the action of the return spring 6, simultaneously squeezing the steel ball 3 inward. Furthermore, the inner side of the slider 4 is provided with an inclined surface to better squeeze the steel ball 3 inward.

[0042] Reset Mechanism: After the external force for unlocking disappears, the unlocking spring 5 rebounds and pushes the locking tongue 2 to reset. Under the action of the unlocking spring 5, the locking tongue 2 moves upward and squeezes the steel ball 3 again, returning to the locked state, thus realizing the cycle action.

[0043] As can be seen in this utility model, the steel ball 3 rolls / makes a small displacement between the inclined surface of the locking tongue and the slider, transmitting the axial force of the locking tongue to the slider and changing the direction of movement (axial → lateral). The slider slides linearly along the groove on the side of the base (perpendicular to the axis of the locking tongue), and is pushed outward by the steel ball (locked in when locked) or reset (retracted when unlocked), directly acting on the locked part to achieve "locking" and "unlocking".

[0044] In summary, this mechanism achieves a "lock-unlock-reset" cycle through "axial movement of the locking tongue → force transmission of the steel ball → lateral linkage of the slider" combined with spring reset. It is typically used in mechanical locks of small devices, electronic device latches, and other scenarios, achieving reliable locking and unlocking functions using a purely mechanical structure.

[0045] This device, based on a mechanical linkage structure of steel ball-slider-spring-locking tongue, can be widely used in optical communication, aerospace, master control, anti-misoperation safety, and complex machinery (such as aerospace and vehicles). Its applications include providing more stable locking and unlocking for high-frequency insertion and removal scenarios such as optical modules, optimizing the operating logic of master controllers and avoiding misoperation, serving as a low-impact unlocking subunit in aerospace or supplementing mechanical backup unlocking functions, improving the security of anti-misoperation devices such as computer keys, and flexibly integrating into equipment drive systems to meet high space and functional integration requirements. It addresses unlocking pain points in multiple fields, supporting reliable and easy-to-use locking and unlocking cycles. This structure is designed with high reliability and high reusability as its core principles, possessing excellent axial impact resistance, capable of stably withstanding extreme axial impact forces up to 10,000g. Simultaneously, it adopts a simple and efficient modular design, ensuring a compact structure, stable operation, and support for multiple reuses, significantly reducing operating costs and maintenance complexity, and comprehensively meeting the safety requirements of high-intensity working conditions.

Claims

1. A mechanical cycle unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring, characterized in that: The device includes a base and a spring seat connected vertically. The base has an opening, and a blocking part extending inward is provided below the opening. The spring seat is a hollow structure with a through hole inside. A protrusion extends outward from the bottom of the spring seat, and a set screw is screwed into a threaded hole below the through hole. A locking tongue is provided between the set screw and the blocking part, and the lower end of the locking tongue extends into the hollow structure of the spring seat. A slider is provided on the outside of the base, and a return spring is provided between the slider and the protrusion. An unlocking spring is provided between the locking tongue and the set screw. A side hole is provided on the side of the base, where a steel ball is placed. When the slider is pressed down, the steel ball is pushed outward by the locking tongue to prevent the slider from rising, forming a locked state. In the locked state, pressing the locking tongue downward through the opening causes the slider to return the steel ball to its original position via the return spring.

2. The mechanical cycling unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of return spring and unlocking spring of claim 1, wherein: The bottom of the base is connected and fixed to the spring seat by a snap-fit ​​component, so that the opening is aligned with the through hole of the spring seat.

3. The mechanical cycling unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of return spring and unlocking spring of claim 1, wherein: The locking tongue is divided into a top post, a first conical part, a cylinder, a second conical part, and a vertical post from top to bottom. The diameter of the top post is smaller than that of the cylinder, and the two are connected by the first conical part. The diameter of the vertical post is smaller than that of the cylinder, and the two are connected by the second conical part.

4. The mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower end of the column extends into the through hole of the spring seat, and a sleeve is provided below it. The diameter of the sleeve is smaller than that of the column, and the sleeve is connected to the unlocking spring.

5. The mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate has multiple side holes on its side, and at least one side hole is provided with a steel ball, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the side hole.

6. The mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side holes are evenly arranged on the side of the substrate, and there are 3-6 of them.

7. The mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the base is provided with wings to define the initial position of the slider.

8. The mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The set screw is screwed into the threaded hole below the through hole and fixed by the threaded connection, which can finely adjust the preload of the unlocking spring.

9. The mechanical cyclic unlocking mechanism based on the linkage of a reset spring and an unlocking spring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slider has an inclined surface on its inner side to compress the steel ball and make it move inward.

Images