Agricultural Barrier Locking Lever for Simultaneous Dual-Latch Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural barrier locking devices lack both strength and reliability, compromising safety and ease of use, as they often require sequential operation of multiple latches and lack robust locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with at least two movable bolts connected to a single actuating lever, allowing simultaneous movement between deployed and retracted positions, featuring a restoring force mechanism and a guided actuating lever for efficient and secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple latches are used to improve locking strength, then reliability is improved, but operation complexity increases requiring sequential activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking bolts (at least two) with a single actuating lever mechanism. When the lever pivots, it simultaneously actuates all bolts to move between deployed and retracted positions together, eliminating the need for sequential operation while maintaining multi-bolt locking strength and reliability
2Ease of operation
If a single actuating lever controls multiple bolts, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating lever serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a pivot element, a connecting mechanism for multiple bolts, and a single-point operation interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuators for each bolt while maintaining reliable simultaneous control of all locking elements
3Ease of operation
If the actuating lever spans from lower end near ground to upper end for user access, then ease of operation is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating lever is positioned vertically along the stile, extending from near the lower end (close to ground) to near the upper end (accessible height). This vertical arrangement allows users to operate the latch at a convenient height while the lever's rotation around a horizontal axis provides the mechanical advantage needed to move all bolts simultaneously, transforming the operational dimension from horizontal to vertical
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
The device enhances security and simplifies operation by enabling simultaneous unlocking of both locks with a single lever action, maintaining robustness and ease of use while ensuring reliable locking and automatic return to the deployed position.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating lever adapted to pivot relative to the barrier around a first axis of rotation, the at least two bolts being connected to the actuating lever such that a rotation of the actuating lever around the first axis of rotation causes a joint movement of said bolts between their deployed and retracted positions
Implementation Method 2
locking devices may include a return mechanism, such as a spring, to return the bolt to its deployed locking position
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A locking device (10) for an agricultural barrier (1) comprising an opening part (A) and a fixed part (B), the device (10) comprising at least two latches (12) movable in translation between a deployed position allowing the opening part (A) to be locked relative to the fixed part (B), and a retracted position allowing the opening part (A) to be released, an actuating lever (20) capable of pivoting relative to the barrier (1) around a first axis of rotation (R1), the at least two latches (12) being connected to the actuating lever (20) such that a rotation of the actuating lever (20) around the first axis of rotation (R1) causes a joint movement of said latches (12) between their deployed position and their retracted position.