Anti-Mine Lock Actuator for Military Vehicle Door Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-mine locks for military vehicle doors often become difficult to open after a mine impact, as the locking element can become deformed, preventing quick egress for injured occupants.
Innovation Solution
An anti-mine lock system equipped with an active unlocking actuator that releases kinetic energy to unlock the locking element, either directly or through intermediate elements, allowing the door to be opened even if the locking element is deformed, using energy storage mechanisms like chemical, electrical, or mechanical energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking element is designed to be manually movable for locking and unlocking, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the door cannot be opened quickly after mine impact when the locking element is deformed
Solution Approach 1:
An unlocking actuator is integrated into the locking mechanism that can automatically or manually activate to forcefully move the locking element from its locked position to an unlocked position. This preliminary action capability ensures that even if the locking element becomes deformed during a mine impact, sufficient force can be applied to overcome the deformation and enable door opening, thus resolving the contradiction between simple manual operation and reliability after deformation.
2Strength
If the locking element is made robust to withstand mine impact, then the strength and protection are improved, but the locking element may become deformed and stuck in the locked position
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the robust locking element. When mine impact causes deformation that prevents direct manual unlocking, the actuator mediates by applying concentrated force through mechanical advantage (such as cam mechanisms, lever arms, or hydraulic/pneumatic pressure) to overcome the deformation and release the locking element, thus maintaining both strength and ease of operation after impact.
3Reliability
If an unlocking actuator is added to the locking mechanism, then the ability to open the door after deformation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking actuator is merged with the existing locking mechanism components rather than being completely separate. The actuator utilizes the same structural elements, mounting points, and force transmission paths as the original locking system. This integration approach adds the necessary unlocking capability after deformation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by sharing common components and structural features.
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
Enables the door of a military vehicle to be opened after a mine impact, facilitating the rescue of occupants by generating the necessary force to overcome a deformed locking element without manual handling, thus ensuring timely evacuation.
Implementation Method 1
The unlocking actuator can be designed in such a way that it pulls or pushes the locking element. The kinetic energy released by the unlocking actuator can be directed to the locking element by pulling or pressing.
Implementation Method 2
The inner guide element is designed to be elastic transversely to the direction of movement. A resilient inner guide element allows a bent locking element to be moved through the guide for unlocking.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The locking device has movable locking elements (2.1-2.3) i.e. mine protection latches, and unlocking actuators (3.1-3.3) for unlocking the locking elements. Each actuator has an energy storage for supplying energy for unlocking the locking elements, where the actuators are formed such that the actuators act against a locking movement direction of the locking elements. A manual or motor-operated operating device is provided for the locking elements, and the actuators are arranged in a force flow area between the locking elements and the operating device. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a military vehicle comprising a door with a locking device (2) a method for unlocking a locking device.