Door Coupling Device With Guide Element Biasing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch devices for door release mechanisms lack rapid switching capabilities and are vulnerable to manipulation, with high energy consumption and inadequate security features.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a guide element that biases towards an engaged position but can fall back into an evasive position, allowing the coupling element to rotate with the drive element without engagement until a blocking element locks the guide element in place, enabling indirect displacement of the coupling element into a coupling position using a locking element, thus eliminating the need for electrical actuation and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrically controllable actuating device is used to move the blocking element into the blocking position, then the coupling element can be reliably locked in the coupling position, but the energy consumption increases and the switching speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed to automatically move into the coupling position through its own rotational movement when the blocking element is in the blocking position, eliminating the need for an electric actuator to drive the coupling element and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable coupling
2Reliability
If the coupling element is directly actuated by an electric motor, then the coupling can be achieved, but the device becomes vulnerable to manipulation and the switching speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element serves as an intermediary between the electric actuator and the coupling element. The actuator only needs to move the blocking element into the blocking position, which then passively guides the coupling element into the coupling position through the guide element's geometry, preventing direct actuation and reducing manipulation vulnerability
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the blocking element controlled by the actuator, and the coupling element that moves passively through the guide element's geometric constraints. This segmentation allows the actuator to control only the blocking element, reducing the attack surface for manipulation while maintaining reliable coupling
3Ease of operation
If the coupling element is freely rotatable in the decoupling position, then the door can be operated freely, but the coupling device is vulnerable to unauthorized actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed to dynamically change its effective geometry based on the position of the blocking element. When the blocking element is in the release position, the guide element allows free rotation. When the blocking element moves to the blocking position, the guide element's geometry changes to force the coupling element into the coupling position, preventing unauthorized actuation while maintaining ease of operation when authorized
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling device for a door unlocking mechanism, comprising a rotatable drive element (11); a rotatable output element (15); a coupling element (21) which is displaceably mounted on the drive element (11) between a decoupling position and a coupling position, wherein in the decoupling position the coupling element (21) decouples the drive element (11) from the output element (15) and in the coupling position rotatably couples the drive element (11) to the output element (15); at least one locking element (51) which is displaceable between a release position and a locking position; and an electrically controllable actuator (71) for displacing the locking element (51). A movable guide element (31) is provided between the locking element (51) and the coupling element (21), which is biased towards an engagement position and has a guide track for the coupling element (21).In the release position, the locking element (51) releases the guide element (31) for a move into an avoidance position and in the locking position locks the guide element (31) in the engagement position.