Emergency Lever for Automatic Locking Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical locking devices with compression spring biasing fail to open automatically or manually when the spring is damaged, leaving users unable to access locked doors.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an actuating device with an emergency lever and unlocking mechanism that allows manual operation by separating the unlocking device from a stop, enabling the locking element to move into the open position, even without spring support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a compression spring is used to bias the locking element into the closed position, then automatic opening is enabled when the electromagnetic door opener is actuated, but the system fails completely when the spring is damaged or loses spring force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic openingVSAvoidsystem reliability when spring is damaged
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is segmented into two independent opening mechanisms: an automatic opening mechanism using the compression spring (for normal operation) and a manual opening mechanism using the actuating device with emergency lever (for emergency operation). This segmentation ensures that failure of one mechanism does not prevent the other from functioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its operational parameter from purely automatic (spring-based) to manual (lever-based) when the spring parameter fails. The actuating device provides an alternative parameter pathway for opening the door when the compression spring's spring force parameter is compromised, maintaining system reliability through parameter substitution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the locking element is biased by a compression spring in the closed position, then automatic retraction into the open position is achieved, but manual operation becomes difficult or impossible when the spring is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual openingVSAvoidoperation reliability without spring force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating device serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the locking element when the compression spring is damaged. Instead of directly manipulating the locking element against potential spring resistance, the user operates the actuating device which mechanically triggers the unlocking device, thereby mediating the opening process and ensuring ease of operation even without functional spring force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If an electromagnetic door opener is used for automatic actuation, then remote-controlled opening is achieved, but mechanical components can still fail and prevent both automatic and manual opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote-controlled openingVSAvoidopening capability when mechanical components fail
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The manual actuating device is prepared in advance as a backup mechanism. When the electromagnetic door opener or its associated mechanical components fail, the pre-configured actuating device with emergency lever can be immediately deployed to trigger the unlocking device, ensuring that the system maintains opening capability through preliminary preparation of an alternative activation path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables manual opening of the locking device in emergency situations when automatic opening fails due to spring damage, ensuring access without requiring functional compression springs.

Implementation Method 1

a locking element which can be automatically moved between a closed position and an open position with the aid of a remote-controlled electromagnetic door opener during normal operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the locking element being prestressed in the closed position during normal operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2677098B1Closing device with emergency opening
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 ELDOMAT INNOVATIVE SICHERHEIT GMBH
  • EP2677098B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2677098B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2677098B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A locking device with a bolt element that, during normal operation, automatically moves back and forth between a closed position and an open position, wherein the bolt element is biased in the closed position during normal operation, is characterized in that an actuating device is provided by which, in emergency operation, when the bias in the open position has failed, the bolt element can be manually moved from the closed position to the open position. A method for the emergency opening of an automatic locking device comprises providing an automatic locking device, providing an actuating device, actuating the actuating device, actuating a release device, and actuating the actuating device again until the bolt element is in the open position.