Actuating Mechanism With Manual Decoupling Bolt For Emergency Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuating gears for windows and doors, especially lifting-sliding elements, become inoperable during power failures or motor defects due to self-locking electric motors, preventing manual operation.

Innovation Solution

An actuating gear with a translationally displaceable drive rod and a manually operable input shaft, coupled via a latch that can be moved between locking and unlocking positions, allowing decoupling from the self-locking electric motor for manual operation in emergency situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a self-locking electric motor is used to operate the drive rod, then the motor can reliably raise and lower the lift-and-slide element, but the window or door cannot be opened manually during power failure or motor failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor reliabilityVSAvoidmanual operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating mechanism is divided into two independent subsystems: an electric motor subsystem for normal operation and a manual input shaft subsystem for emergency operation. The bolt assembly acts as a switch to selectively connect or disconnect these subsystems from the drive rod, allowing the drive rod to be actuated by either the motor or the input shaft depending on the operational mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bolt assembly serves as an intermediary component that mediates between the electric motor and the drive rod. By moving between locked and unlocked positions, the bolt assembly selectively transmits or blocks the transmission element's movement to the drive rod, thereby controlling whether the motor can actuate the drive rod or whether the manual input shaft can do so instead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the electric motor is self-locking, then the motor maintains its position without power, but manual operation becomes impossible when power is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bolt assembly is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between two states: locked and unlocked. In the locked state, the motor's self-locking feature maintains position stability. In the unlocked state, the manual input shaft can be rotated to actuate the drive rod. This dynamic switching capability provides both position stability during normal operation and operational flexibility during emergencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the drive rod is decoupled from the transmission element for manual operation, then manual actuation is possible, but the electric motor can no longer operate the drive rod

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual actuationVSAvoidmotor operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bolt assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a coupling element between the transmission element and drive rod during motor operation, serves as a decoupling mechanism to enable manual operation, and provides a positive stop to ensure proper engagement. This multi-functionality allows a single component to manage both motor-driven and manual operation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4060152B1Actuating mechanism for a window or door with emergency unlocking function

Publication Date: 2024.01.24 MACO TECHNOLOGIE GMBH

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an actuating mechanism for moving a connecting rod of a window or door. The actuating mechanism comprises a translationally displaceable connecting rod, which can be coupled to an actuating element, such as a lifting element for raising or lowering a sliding element; a bolt, which is movable between a locking position, in which the connecting rod is coupled to the transmission element, and an unlocking position, in which the connecting rod is decoupled from the transmission element; and a manually operable input shaft, which is movable transversely to the connecting rod, wherein the input shaft is coupled to the bolt, and via the bolt, to the connecting rod, irrespective of the bolt's position.