Actuation Cylinder Extraction Resistance Groove Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cylinders for actuation mechanisms lack adequate security against extraction attempts of the rotating body from the main body, which can compromise the blocking mechanism and increase complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an annular groove with a blocking element fixed to the main body, featuring an engagement portion that slidably engages the groove, providing resistance against extraction attempts by interfering with the transverse surface in the extraction direction, and optionally using an elastic stop ring for enhanced security without increasing structural complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional cylinder structure without additional blocking elements is used, then the construction complexity and cost are low, but the resistance against extraction attempts of the rotating body from the main body is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance against extraction attemptsVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element is divided into two functional parts: an engagement portion that interacts with the annular groove to prevent extraction, and a fixed portion that is rigidly attached to the main body. This segmentation allows the blocking element to provide extraction resistance while maintaining rotational freedom through the groove engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The annular groove acts as an intermediary element between the blocking element and the rotating body. The groove's transversal surface mediates the interaction by providing a blocking surface that opposes extraction forces while allowing the engagement portion to slide along the groove during rotation, thus enabling both security and rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If blocking elements are added to prevent extraction, then security against tampering improves, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against tamperingVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides extraction resistance through its engagement with the annular groove, maintains rotational capability through the sliding engagement, and is simplified for assembly by being a single piece that can be directly fixed to the main body without requiring separate parts for rotation control and extraction prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Force

If the engagement portion is rigidly fixed to the main body, then resistance to extraction forces increases, but the ability to allow rotation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to extraction forcesVSAvoidability to rotate
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement portion is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to slide along the annular groove during rotation while maintaining a fixed position relative to the main body in the longitudinal direction. This dynamic sliding capability enables the blocking element to provide rigid resistance to extraction forces while simultaneously allowing free rotation of the rotating body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3636860B1Cylinder for actuation mechanisms
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 OMEC SERRATURE
  • EP3636860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3636860B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3636860B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Cylinder (1) for actuation mechanisms comprising a main body (2) having a cavity (3), a rotating body (4) rotatably housed in said cavity (3) and having an axis of rotation (100) along a longitudinal development direction of the cylinder (1), wherein the rotating body (4) has, on a respective outer surface (5) having a longitudinal development, a groove (6) having substantially annular development centred in the axis of rotation (100) and lying on a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (100), wherein the cylinder (1) comprises a blocking element (7) fixed to the main body (2) and having an engagement portion (8) which slidably engages the groove (6) of the rotating body (4).