Eccentric Coupling for Lock Cylinder Reset Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock cylinder reset mechanisms for anti-panic functions in escape and rescue routes are complex, costly, and suffer from high friction, requiring multiple components and assembly openings, which leads to inefficiencies and potential for mechanical failure due to dead center positions.
Innovation Solution
A resetting mechanism featuring a rotationally asymmetrical eccentric unit with a disc-shaped coupling body and a spring-loaded unit, where the eccentric unit has a control cam with a rolling unit to reduce friction and prevent dead center positions, allowing for smooth and reliable automatic return of the locking lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring arrangement with a helix element and guide arrangement is used for automatic return, then the locking lever can be reset into a predetermined position, but the device complexity increases due to a large number of individual components
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the guide arrangement and the spring mounting structure, while the locking lever is directly coupled to it. This merging eliminates the need for separate guide elements and mounting structures, reducing the number of individual components while maintaining the automatic return function.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling part is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides guidance for the locking lever, serves as a mounting structure for the spring arrangement, and transmits the resetting force. This universal design reduces component count by making one element perform multiple roles that previously required separate parts.
2Reliability
If a helix element with wound outer longitudinal edge is used, then the locking lever can be reset, but the resetting device requires space outside the cylinder housing
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement is nested within the coupling part structure, with the spring housed inside the coupling part's internal cavity. The coupling part itself is integrated into the cylinder housing, eliminating the need for external space. This nesting approach allows the resetting mechanism to be compact and self-contained within the existing housing boundaries.
3Ease of operation
If many components are provided that can be moved relative to one another, then the locking lever can be actuated, but the expenditure of force is relatively high due to high potential for friction
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the guide arrangement and spring mounting into the coupling part, the number of relative moving interfaces is reduced. The locking lever moves relative to the coupling part rather than multiple separate components, minimizing friction points and reducing the force required for actuation.
4Ease of manufacture
If axial and radial assembly openings are required in the cylinder housing, then the reset mechanism can be assembled, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement is extracted from a traditional mounting structure and integrated directly into the coupling part. This allows the entire reset mechanism to be assembled through a single radial opening in the coupling part, eliminating the need for separate axial and radial assembly openings in the cylinder housing, thereby simplifying the housing structure.
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 provides a compact, cost-effective, and reliable mechanism that minimizes dead center positions, reduces friction, and ensures smooth operation by using a rotationally asymmetrical design with a spring-loaded unit and a control cam, enhancing the functionality and reliability of lock cylinders in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
The force applied when the actuating unit is actuated is stored in a spring-loaded unit by tensioning the spring-loaded unit. As soon as the actuation is canceled, the force or energy stored in the spring-loaded unit is used to automatically move the locking lever, which has been twisted or moved from its first position, back into its initial position in the first position.
Implementation Method 2
the control cam with a rolling unit to reduce friction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The coupling part (10) has a disk shaped coupling body outwardly limited by two opposite front ends and a mantle side connecting the front ends in a rotating manner. An aperture is coupled with a cylinder shaft (112) and eccentrically arranged so that the coupling part functions as an eccentric cam. The coupling body is formed as a rotation-asymmetric coupling body to realize a rotation-asymmetric cam for a bolt device by the mantle side. The mantle side is pointed in a region and comprises a bulge in another region. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a bolt device (2) a resetting mechanism (3) a cylinder housing (4) a method for automatic resetting of a lock lever (5) a method for mounting a lock cylinder and/or a mortise lock.