Dual-Bolt Holder Unlock Mechanism for Emergency Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety locking devices for machines and systems lack a simple and efficient mechanism for emergency or auxiliary unlocking, which is crucial for ensuring safety and access in hazardous situations.

Innovation Solution

A tumbler safety device comprising an actuating part and a tumbler part that can be attached to moving and fixed parts, featuring bolt elements and receiving elements that allow for a double-acting lock with high locking forces, enabling an additional unlocking mechanism by moving the receiving elements, which can be controlled via a drive mechanism for emergency or auxiliary unlocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional locking mechanism is used, then the locking reliability is high, but the device complexity increases and emergency unlocking capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into two independent parts: a tumbler part with bolt elements and an actuating part with receiving elements. This segmentation allows the locking function to be distributed, maintaining high reliability through dual engagement points while simplifying the overall control mechanism by allowing independent operation of each part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional locking approach by making the actuating part movable rather than fixed. Instead of moving the locking bolts to engage fixed receivers, the receivers are moved to engage fixed bolts. This inversion simplifies the actuating mechanism and enables straightforward emergency unlocking by simply moving the receiving elements away from the bolt elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the locking force is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidlocking force
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple locking functions into a single integrated tumbler mechanism. The tumbler part contains multiple bolt elements that can simultaneously engage with receiving elements, creating a compound locking action. This merging of multiple engagement points in one mechanism delivers high locking force while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the actuating part is fixed, then the control mechanism is simple, but emergency unlocking capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency unlocking capabilityVSAvoidactuating part mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating part is designed with dynamic mobility, allowing it to transition between fixed and movable states. During normal operation, the actuating part with receiving elements can be held in a fixed position for stable locking. During emergency unlocking, the actuating part can be freely moved to disengage the receiving elements from the bolt elements. This dynamic design enables emergency access while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3517715B1Holder with auxiliary unlock
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 K A SCHMERSAL HLDG
  • EP3517715B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3517715B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP3517715B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Described are a locking device 10, a safety device with the locking device 10, and a method for opening the locking device 10. At least two bolt elements 20a, 20b projecting in opposite directions are provided on a locking device part 12. An actuator part 14 has two receiving elements 26a, 26b arranged at a distance from each other, with receiving openings 22a, 22b for receiving the bolt elements 20a, 20b and with a connecting piece 28 for connecting the receiving elements 26a, 26b. To enable easy unlocking, e.g., emergency or auxiliary unlocking, the receiving elements 26a, 26b are movable between a locking position, in which the bolt elements 20a, 20b are received on both sides in the receiving openings 22a, and an opening position for releasing the bolt elements 20a, 20b. In the open position, the distance between the receiving elements 26a, 26b is greater than in the closed position.