Lock Assembly Abutment Angles Reduce Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock assemblies malfunction under high pressure forces, such as those exerted during emergencies or intentional attempts to disable them, due to friction issues, leading to unsafe situations.
Innovation Solution
The lock assembly design incorporates offset angles for abutting surfaces to deflect forces away from the primary bolt path, reducing friction and allowing the lock to remain operational under increased pressure by utilizing rotational bearings and electromechanical actuators to facilitate movement without sliding, thus minimizing contact surfaces and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the normal vector of abutting surfaces is aligned with the bolt path, then the force transmission is direct and efficient, but the friction force increases significantly under high pressure, causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the normal vector of the abutting surfaces at an offset angle (5-20 degrees) relative to the bolt path direction. This asymmetric arrangement causes the force vector to be decomposed into a component along the bolt path (for blocking) and a perpendicular component (reducing friction). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining effective force transmission while reducing the friction component that causes malfunction under high pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the abutting surfaces by introducing an offset angle between the normal vector and the bolt path. This parameter change transforms the force transmission mechanism, allowing the same blocking force to be achieved with reduced friction. The offset angle parameter optimizes the balance between force transmission efficiency and friction reduction, resolving the contradiction.
2Device complexity
If sliding contact is used between blocking elements, then the structure is simple, but friction increases under pressure causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes sliding friction with rolling contact by introducing wheels (first and second wheels) between the blocking elements and the bolt assembly. This mechanical substitution eliminates the direct sliding contact that generates harmful friction under pressure. The wheels rotate on bearings, transforming the friction mechanism from sliding to rolling, which significantly reduces friction and prevents malfunction while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Strength
If the lock assembly is designed for high strength blocking, then the blocking force is strong, but the friction force also increases, leading to malfunction under emergency pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry in the force vector decomposition by positioning abutting surfaces at an offset angle. This allows the blocking force to be maintained through the component along the bolt path while the perpendicular component reduces friction. The asymmetric geometry enables strong blocking without proportionally increasing friction, resolving the contradiction between blocking strength and friction-induced malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct sliding friction mechanism with a rolling contact system using wheels and bearings. This substitution maintains the blocking strength through the wheel's structural support and force transmission while eliminating the harmful sliding friction that causes malfunction under high pressure conditions.
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
This design enhances the lock assembly's operational threshold under high pressure forces, ensuring it remains functional and safe, capable of withstanding pressures up to 1900-3000 Newtons without malfunctioning, and allows for efficient electromechanical operation and key-based unlocking.
Implementation Method 1
The offset angle of the normal vector of the abutting abutment surfaces at the primary abutment point can deflect part of the force exerted by the bolt assembly on the primary blocking element in a direction other than the bolt path. Therefore, the force in the direction of the bolt path is smaller than the force which would be exerted in the direction of the bolt path if the normal vector would be aligned with the bolt path. The reduced force in the direction of the bolt path can reduce the friction occurring at the primary abutment point
Implementation Method 2
Due to the offset angle of the normal vector of the abutting abutment surfaces at the secondary abutment point, part of the force exerted by the primary blocking element on the secondary blocking element can be deflected in a direction other than the primary blocking path. Therefore, the force in the direction of the primary blocking path is smaller than the force which would be exerted in the direction of the primary blocking path if the normal vector would be aligned with the primary blocking path. The reduced force in the direction of the primary blocking path can lead to reduced friction generated by the forces occurring at the secondary abutment point
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Lock assembly comprising a housing, wherein the lock assembly is provided with a primary blocking element, wherein the primary blocking element is fixed with respect to the housing against translation in the direction of the bolt path, wherein the bolt assembly and the primary blocking element comprise a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface, respectively, wherein the second abutment surface faces towards the extended position, wherein the second abutment surface, when the bolt assembly is in the extended position and the primary blocking element is in the primary blocking position, abuts the first abutment surface in a primary abutment point, wherein the normal vector of the abutting abutment surfaces at the primary abutment point is under an angle in a range of one to thirty degrees with respect to the bolt path.