Electronic Frame Lock Cam Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic frame locks for bicycles face reliability issues due to wear of components like blocking springs and require manual handling to secure the round hoop in the closed position, making them prone to unauthorized opening attempts, especially the hammer blow method.
Innovation Solution
An electronic frame lock with a rotatable cam driven by an electric motor that secures and releases a latch, eliminating the need for separate blocking springs and allowing automatic locking and unlocking, enabling reliable securing against unauthorized access and simplified handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking spring is used to secure the latch against unauthorized opening attempts, then the reliability against hammer blow method is improved, but the device complexity increases and wear occurs over service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blocking spring function with the existing latch mechanism by integrating a blocking element directly into the latch structure. The latch body incorporates a blocking surface that works with a blocking element on the cam, eliminating the need for a separate blocking spring component while maintaining protection against hammer blow attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam component is given multiple functions: it provides the unlocking cam surface for releasing the latch, and simultaneously provides the blocking surface for preventing unauthorized opening attempts. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for each function.
2Reliability
If a separate blocking spring and compulsory guidance surface are used, then the latch is secured against unauthorized movement, but wear of these components impairs reliability over service life
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is merged into the cam and latch body structures themselves, which are primary load-bearing components designed for durability. By eliminating the separate blocking spring and its guidance surface, the patent removes the wear-prone interface between these separate components, thereby extending the service life before wear affects reliability.
3Device complexity
If manual holding of the round hoop is required until the latch is released, then the locking mechanism can be simplified, but the ease of operation deteriorates and unauthorized opening becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the cam automatically move into the blocking position immediately when the round hoop reaches the closed position, detected by the hoop detector. This automatic blocking action occurs before any potential unauthorized manipulation can take place, eliminating the need for manual holding while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The hoop detector provides feedback about the round hoop's position to the control device, which then automatically controls the cam to move into the blocking position. This feedback mechanism enables automatic operation without requiring manual intervention, improving both ease of operation and security.
4Ease of operation
If the round hoop returns to open position automatically when not held, then handling is simplified, but security against unauthorized opening is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cam moves into the blocking position as a preliminary action immediately when the round hoop reaches the closed position, detected by the hoop detector. This preliminary blocking action prevents any subsequent unauthorized opening attempts, including automatic returns to the open position, thereby maintaining security while allowing proper operation.
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 enhanced reliability against unauthorized opening attempts and simplifies handling by automating the locking process, ensuring the round hoop remains securely locked without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a cam (59) that can be driven by the electric motor (63) to make an eccentric rotational movement about an axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic frame lock has a control device that is configured, starting from an open position of a round hoop of the frame lock, based on a closing command, to control an electric motor to rotate a cam into a release position and, as a result, to move a latch preloaded into a locking position into an unlocking position; to then control the electric motor to rotate the cam into a preloading position in which the latch is released for a movement towards the unlocking position; and, on a detection of a closed position of the round hoop, to control the electric motor to rotate the cam into a blocking position in which the cam secures the latch in the locking position.