Elastic Locking Station for Vandalism-Resistant Cycle Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic cycle storage systems are vulnerable to vandalism due to lack of effective resistance mechanisms, allowing unauthorized access and damage.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a second attachment member on the locking station with three degrees of freedom in rotation, elastically urged towards a rest position, providing an increasing return force when attempting to be displaced, and an abutment member that prevents locking when an anti-theft device is immobilized, enhancing security without increasing weight or size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second attachment member is rigidly fixed to the support, then the cycle is securely locked, but the system becomes vulnerable to vandalism and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The second attachment member is made movable with three rotational degrees of freedom instead of being rigidly fixed. It can pivot dynamically to absorb vandalism forces while maintaining locking capability through elastic restoration to its original position.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic means (such as springs or elastomers) are incorporated to provide beforehand cushioning against vandalism forces. These elastic elements absorb impact energy and exert restoring forces to return the second attachment member to its locking position after disturbance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the second attachment member is made movable to resist vandalism, then vandalism resistance improves, but the locking security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic means are pre-configured to provide restoring force that automatically returns the second attachment member to its locking position after being displaced by vandalism attempts, thereby maintaining locking security despite movability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means convert the harmful displacement forces from vandalism into beneficial restoring forces that actively return the locking member to its secure position, transforming the vulnerability of movability into a protective feature.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elastic means are added to provide restoring force, then vandalism resistance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Elastomer pads or flexible elastic elements are used instead of complex mechanical spring systems. These flexible components provide the necessary restoring force while occupying minimal space and adding little structural complexity to the locking station.
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 significantly enhances the resistance to vandalism by preventing unauthorized displacement and immobilization of cycles, maintaining mechanical integrity while allowing secure and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastomer pad being interposed between the base and the bottom of the ball joint housing
Implementation Method 2
the second locking member is elastically forced towards a rest position when said second locking member is moved from the rest position and elastic means are adapted to exert on the second locking member an increasing restoring force
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic cycle storage system comprising cycles (1) and a fixed infrastructure having a plurality of locking stations (7) adapted to receive and lock each cycle. Each cycle has a first locking member which locks onto a second locking member (8) articulated on the locking station with at least two degrees of rotational freedom.