Chain Lock Bolt Layout for Reliable Combination Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chain locks with combination locking mechanisms require complex bolt designs that interact with the locking mechanism, exposing hinge pins to external stresses and potentially causing damage or wear, which compromises the reliability of the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A chain lock design featuring a bolt insertion opening transverse to the lock axis, allowing the bolt to move along the lock axis between locked and unlocked positions, eliminating the need for additional locking structures and simplifying the bolt's design, with a pre-tensioned bolt that engages in a locking notch for secure attachment and is released by setting a numerical code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bolt is inserted along the lock axis and locked by the combination locking mechanism, then reliable locking is achieved, but the bolt design becomes complex and requires additional locking structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by having the bolt move transversely to the lock axis rather than along the lock axis. The bolt insertion opening is arranged transversely to the lock axis, allowing the bolt to be inserted perpendicular to the lock axis. This inversion simplifies the bolt design while maintaining reliable locking through the combination mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex interaction structures between the bolt and combination locking mechanism by changing the insertion direction. The bolt only needs a simple locking notch instead of complex interaction structures, as the transverse insertion eliminates the need for the bolt to interact with the combination mechanism during insertion while still allowing the combination mechanism to control bolt movement along the lock axis.
2Ease of operation
If the hinge pin is removed from the lock body, then convenient handling is achieved, but the structures on the hinge pin become exposed to external influences and stresses, causing damage or wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the hinge pin inside a bearing sleeve that is integrated into the lock body. The bearing sleeve protects the hinge pin from external influences and stresses while allowing the hinge pin to move freely for convenient handling. The hinge pin is nested within the bearing sleeve, which acts as a protective enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing sleeve acts as an intermediary between the hinge pin and the external environment. It protects the hinge pin from direct exposure to external influences and stresses while still allowing the hinge pin to perform its function of enabling convenient handling. The bearing sleeve mediates between the need for hinge pin accessibility and the need to protect it from damage.
3Strength
If additional locking structures are added to the bolt, then secure attachment is improved, but the bolt design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex locking structures from the bolt design by changing the insertion direction to transverse. The bolt only retains the essential locking notch for engagement with the combination locking mechanism, eliminating the need for additional complex locking structures while maintaining secure attachment through the simplified design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A chain lock comprises a lock body with a first locking part and a second locking part, a combination locking mechanism aligned along a lock axis, and a chain bolt, wherein a first chain end is formed by a bolt that can be selectively locked or released from the lock body. The first locking part has a bolt insertion opening into which the bolt can be inserted. The combination locking mechanism comprises rotatable code rings and a pre-tensioned bolt, wherein the bolt can be forced into an unlocked position by inserting the bolt into the lock body and by removing the bolt from the lock body, in which the bolt releases a path of movement for the bolt, provided a code is set on the code rings.