Bolt Tension Lock Compression Spring Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing latch bolts for commercial vehicle superstructures have a large overall length and require two tension springs to keep the hand lever in the fully folded position, making them prone to manipulation and damage risks when open.

Innovation Solution

A compression spring is used, supported at one end by a tab on the channel's bottom and at the other end by a sleeve on the articulated lever, allowing the spring to be accommodated in a space-saving manner, eliminating the need for two tension springs and reducing the latch's overall length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two tension springs are used to keep the hand lever in the fully folded position, then the hand lever remains stable when open, but the overall length of the latch increases and the springs become exposed to manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand lever stabilityVSAvoidoverall length of latch

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the spring mechanism from using tension springs to using a compression spring. This inversion allows the spring to be positioned differently within the housing, specifically in the region of the articulation lever, which reduces the overall length of the latch while maintaining the hand lever's stability in the folded position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The compression spring is nested within the housing structure, specifically positioned in the region of the articulation lever. This nesting approach allows the spring mechanism to be integrated into the existing structure without increasing the overall length, and the spring is protected within the housing channel preventing external manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If two tension springs are used to prevent hand lever tilting, then the hand lever remains stable when open, but the springs become exposed and susceptible to tampering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand lever stabilityVSAvoidsusceptibility to tampering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compression spring is nested within the housing structure, positioned in the region of the articulation lever. This nesting approach protects the spring from external manipulation while maintaining its function of keeping the hand lever stable in the folded position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the spring mechanism from the exposed position in the housing channel and relocates it to the region of the articulation lever within the housing. This extraction removes the vulnerability to tampering while preserving the stabilizing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the channel is made longer to accommodate two tension springs, then the springs can be positioned to stabilize the hand lever, but the overall length of the latch increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand lever stabilityVSAvoidchannel length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the spring mechanism from tension springs requiring a long channel to a compression spring that can be positioned in the region of the articulation lever. This inversion allows for a significantly shorter channel length while maintaining the hand lever's stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring positioning is moved from a linear arrangement along the channel to a three-dimensional arrangement within the housing, specifically in the region of the articulation lever. This dimensional change allows the spring to be positioned effectively without increasing the channel length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces the latch's overall length and prevents the hand lever from dangling, thereby minimizing the risk of damage to vehicle parts while making it more difficult to manipulate externally.

Implementation Method 1

a compression spring (25) which is part of the mechanism (20), which is supported at its first end (31) against the housing (6) and at its second end (32) against the pivot lever (13)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3219890B1Bar lock for doors or sides of utility vehicle superstructures

Publication Date: 2020.07.22 F HESTERBERG & SOHNE

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~9

AI summary

A bolt tension lock for doors or side panels of commercial vehicle bodies is proposed, comprising a housing (6), a bolt (10) which consists of an engagement part (11) serving for the positive locking of the door or side panel and a bolt stub (12) guided longitudinally in a channel formed on the housing (6), a hand lever (5) pivotably mounted on the housing (6), which rests in the housing (6) in its closed position and is pivoted relative to the closed position in its open position, a pivot lever (13) connected to the bolt stub (12) via a first pivot bearing and to the hand lever (5) via a second pivot bearing (22), and a mechanism locking the hand lever (5) in its maximum open position.In order to further develop the bolt tension lock while maintaining its functionality in such a way that its overall length can be reduced and external manipulation is made more difficult, a compression spring (30) is part of the mechanism, which is supported at its first end against the housing (6) and at its second end against the hinge lever (13).