Lock having a security device for an automatic storage machine and automatic storage machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic storage machines with electric locks face issues of unauthorized locking during power failures or malfunctions, posing risks to children and animals, as well as potential misuse, as they cannot prevent uncontrolled locking of open compartment doors.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical lock with a security device that prevents unauthorized locking by using a detent pawl and a blocking element, which remains in a blocking position unless activated by a power signal, ensuring that compartment doors can only be locked with a powered control signal, thus preventing accidental or unauthorized locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive locking mechanism is used in the lock, then the locking function is simple and reliable, but the lock cannot prevent unauthorized locking during power failures or malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional locking logic by making the lock actively prevent locking instead of passively allowing it. The security device with detent pawl and blocking element is designed to actively block the locking action unless a specific unlocking sequence is performed, reversing the conventional approach where locking is the default safe state.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element serves as an intermediary component between the locking element and the detent pawl. It mediates the locking action by physically preventing the detent pawl from engaging with the locking element unless the security device is properly activated, thus controlling the locking process through an intermediate mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lock allows passive locking without power, then energy consumption is minimized, but safety risks arise from accidental or unauthorized locking of open doors
Solution Approach 1:
The security device performs preliminary action by requiring activation through a specific sequence (opening the compartment door before closing it) before allowing the locking action to occur. This preliminary validation step prevents accidental locking by ensuring the system is in the correct state before permitting the locking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock system uses the compartment door itself as part of the activation mechanism. The opening and closing of the door triggers the security device's activation sequence, allowing the system to use its own operational movements to enable or disable locking functionality without requiring external power-controlled switches.
3Reliability
If the detent pawl is always spring-loaded into the locking position, then locking reliability is high, but the risk of unauthorized locking during power failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element provides preliminary anti-action by preemptively preventing the spring-loaded detent pawl from engaging with the locking element. By positioning the blocking element in the path of the detent pawl, it counteracts the spring force that would otherwise cause automatic locking, thus preventing unauthorized locking before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element acts as an intermediary that controls the interaction between the spring-loaded detent pawl and the locking element. It mediates the force transmission by blocking the detent pawl's engagement path unless the security device is properly activated, thus controlling the effect of the spring force.
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 effectively prevents unauthorized locking of open compartment doors during power failures and ensures secure locking of closed doors, reducing the risk of children or animals getting trapped and enhancing safety by requiring a powered signal for locking, thereby minimizing dangerous states.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring means (27) which pushes the detent pawl (14) into its locking position (36)
Implementation Method 2
a second spring means (39) which pushes the blocking element (33) into its blocking position (40)
Implementation Method 3
movably coupled to a second electric drive element (47), preferably to a second electromagnet (48)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock (1) which can be actively released and locked by control technology, particularly for use in automatic storage machines having a plurality of compartments with compartment doors (2) which are to be opened individually, and to an automatic storage machine having at least one such lock (1). The lock (1) comprises a detent pawl (14), which can lock a locking element (9), which is permanently connected to a compartment door (2), in the lock such that the compartment door (2) can be held in closed position. The lock further has a first electric drive element (17) which transitions the detent pawl (14) from the locking position to a release position upon the applying of electrical power, such that the compartment door (2) can be opened. The lock (1) further comprises a security device (32), which prevents an automatic reset of the detent pawl (14) from the release position to the locking position when the lock (1) is in an unpowered state or the automatic storage machine is in an unpowered state, and an unintentional, accidental or improper locking of a compartment door can thus be avoided. In order to properly lock a compartment door, the security device (32) of the lock (1) comprises a second electric drive element, by means of which the detent pawl (14) can be transitioned back to the locking position thereof upon the applying of electrical power to said second electric drive element during closing of the compartment door (2).