Bayonet Spring Plug for Sectional Door Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of spring break devices for overhead doors is cumbersome and requires tools, posing safety risks and inefficiencies due to the need for nuts and wrenches, especially when dealing with torsion springs.
Innovation Solution
A spring break protection mechanism with a bayonet mount interaction between a spring plug and base plate, where the plug rotates to position and activate the pawl, blocking the ratchet wheel without requiring tools, thus simplifying the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional spring break device with nuts and fixation points is used, then the spring break protection function is achieved, but the installation process becomes complex and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a base plate with fixation points, a ratchet wheel assembly, a pawl mechanism, and a spring plug. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining the spring break protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plug incorporates an integrated pawl activation mechanism that automatically engages the pawl when the spring is installed. This self-service feature eliminates the need for separate tool-based adjustments and simplifies installation, as the spring plug itself performs the function of activating the safety mechanism during installation.
2Strength
If nuts and wrenches are used for fixing the spring break device, then secure connection is achieved, but installation time and tool requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for nuts and wrenches from the installation process. Instead of using threaded fasteners, the device employs a bayonet-style plug connection that achieves secure mechanical attachment through rotational engagement and friction fit, dramatically reducing installation time and eliminating tool requirements while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical fastening system (nuts and bolts requiring wrenches) is replaced with a simplified bayonet-style rotational engagement system. This substitution maintains the structural integrity and connection strength through geometric interlocking and friction, while eliminating the need for threading tools and significantly reducing installation time.
3Ease of operation
If a simple plug connection is used, then installation becomes easier, but the pawl positioning and ratchet wheel blocking may be unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plug combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the spring anchor and the pawl activation mechanism. The plug's geometric design integrates the bayonet connection features with the pawl engagement features, ensuring that proper installation automatically positions the pawl correctly to block the ratchet wheel, thereby maintaining reliability while simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plug is pre-configured with the pawl activation geometry built into its structure. During installation, the act of inserting and rotating the plug automatically performs the pawl positioning action in advance, ensuring the ratchet wheel is properly blocked before the spring is fully tensioned. This preliminary action ensures reliability without requiring separate adjustment steps.
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 solution streamlines the installation process, eliminating the need for tools and reducing installation time and costs, while ensuring safer and faster activation of the spring break mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a ratchet wheel rotatably arranged at a first side of the base plate, the ratchet wheel being arranged to cooperate with the balancing axle; a pawl pivotably connected to the base plate at the first side, wherein the pawl is pivotable between a first position, in which the ratchet wheel is free-running, and a second position in which the pawl blocks the ratchet wheel
Implementation Method 2
The base plate and the spring plug are arranged for bayonet mount interaction with each other, and wherein if the spring plug is placed against the second side of the base plate and then rotated for bayonet connection, part of the spring plug pushes the extension so as to force the pawl in the first position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An assembly (1) is provided comprising a spring break protection mechanism and a spring plug (21, 22, 25;112) for connecting a balancing spring (110) of a sectional door system to the spring break protection mechanism. The mechanism comprises a base plate (2;72) with a circular opening for receiving a balancing axle (100). A ratchet wheel (4;80) is rotatably arranged at a first side of said base plate to cooperate with the balancing axle. A pawl (12;84) is pivotably connected to the base plate. Attached to said pawl is an extension (16) extending from the pawl to beyond a second side of the base plate. The base plate and the spring plug are arranged for bayonet mount interaction wherein if the spring plug is placed against the second side of the base plate and then rotated for bayonet connection, part of the spring plug pushes the extension so as to force the pawl in the first position. If the spring plug is then rotated in an opposite direction, the pawl moves into the second position, to block the ratchet wheel so as to avoid rotation of the balancing axle.