Guided Coupling Mechanism for Mechatronic Locking Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechatronic locking systems face challenges such as susceptibility to impact attacks, high energy consumption, and limited flexibility in installation due to resiliently mounted coupling pins and injectors, as well as rigid coupling mechanisms that require specific target positions and increased energy for transitions.
Innovation Solution
A coupling mechanism with a spring spindle that moves a coupling intermediate piece between positions, using a helical spring and shaft to store energy, allowing the coupling pin to be rigidly connected and preventing positional inaccuracies, while maintaining flexibility in orientation and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spring-loaded mounting is used for coupling pin and injector, then misalignment and aging effects are compensated, but the coupling mechanism becomes soft and susceptible to impact attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded mounting from the coupling pin and injector, extracting the resilient element that caused the soft coupling effect. This eliminates the vulnerability to impact attacks while maintaining coupling functionality through precise mechanical guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guided coupling element with precise geometric constraints as an intermediary between the coupling pin and injector. This mediator ensures accurate alignment and positioning without relying on spring-loaded resilience, providing both precision and impact resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If spring-loaded mounting is used for coupling pin and injector, then flexibility in orientation is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to opposing springs working against mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the opposing spring arrangement that consumed energy by working against gravity and mass. By eliminating these resilient elements, the system no longer requires continuous energy input to maintain positioning, significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The guided coupling element utilizes gravity and its own weight to maintain stable positioning in various orientations. The system serves itself by using the mass of components to their advantage rather than fighting against it with opposing springs, enabling flexible orientation without additional energy consumption.
3Reliability
If rigid coupling mechanism is used, then protection against impact attacks is improved, but transitions require specific target positions and increase energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines rigid structural elements with dynamic guided movement. The coupling element maintains rigid connections for impact resistance while incorporating guided pathways that enable smooth, low-energy transitions between positions. The guidance geometry allows automatic alignment during movement, eliminating the need for precise target positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the coupling element to include guided surfaces and constraints. These parameter modifications enable the rigid structure to transition smoothly between positions through controlled geometric interaction rather than requiring precise alignment or additional energy input.
4Adaptability or versatility
If spring-loaded mounting is used, then compensation for misalignment is achieved, but additional anti-pick pins must be integrated into the coupling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded mounting that necessitated additional anti-pick protection. By eliminating the resilient element, the coupling mechanism inherently provides sufficient stability and precision, removing the need for supplementary security features like anti-pick pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The guided coupling element acts as an intermediary that provides both precise alignment and inherent security. The geometric constraints and guidance surfaces ensure accurate coupling while the rigid guided structure naturally resists manipulation, eliminating the need for additional anti-pick components.
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 protection against impact attacks, reduced energy consumption, and increased flexibility in installation, ensuring reliable operation regardless of orientation and minimizing fatigue effects, thus improving the overall performance and efficiency of the locking system.
Implementation Method 1
The spring spindle (18.10) comprises a spring (18.13), a shaft (18.11) and a positioning pin (18.12). The spring (18.13) can be moved along an axis of rotation (18.17) of the shaft (18.11) by rotating the shaft (18.11) about the axis of rotation (18.17) of the shaft (18.11) via the positioning pin (18.12) within a region bounded by two surfaces (31, 32) of the coupling intermediate piece (18.14)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling mechanism for a mechatronic locking system and the corresponding mechatronic locking system. The coupling mechanism comprises an outer coupling part 16.1, which is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 35, an inner coupling part 16.2, which is rotatably mounted relative to the outer coupling part 16.1, a coupling intermediate piece 18.14, a coupling element 17, which is movable along an axis radial to the pivot axis 35, and a drive 18. The drive 18 is configured to move the coupling intermediate piece 18.14 from a first position to a second position and from the second to the first position. The coupling mechanism is characterized in that the drive 18 has a spring spindle 18.10, via which it moves the coupling intermediate piece 18.14 between the first and second positions. Furthermore, the coupling element 17 is connected by the coupling intermediate piece 18.14 is guided such that its position along the radial axis is completely defined by the coupling intermediate piece 18.14. The coupling element 17 does not connect the outer coupling part 16.1 to the inner coupling part 16.2 when the coupling intermediate piece 18.14 is in the first position, and it connects the outer coupling part 16.1 to the inner coupling part 16.2 when the coupling intermediate piece 18.14 is in the second position.