Lock Bolt Positioning via Elastic Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks, particularly multi-locks used in sliding walls, face challenges in cost-effective production and low-maintenance operation while ensuring the bolt remains reliably in its end positions without requiring high actuating forces or complex, expensive components, and are sensitive to gravity and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A lock mechanism featuring a buckling element, such as a compression spring, that is connected to a rotatable lever and moves along angled axes, allowing elastic buckling to hold the bolt in end positions without needing high actuating forces, and is independent of gravity and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lock mechanisms are used to ensure reliable positioning of the bolt, then high actuating forces and complex expensive elements are required, but this increases device complexity and production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the positioning element by using a spring with specific elastic characteristics. The spring constant and preload force are optimized to provide reliable bolt positioning without requiring complex mechanisms or high actuating forces, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically positions and holds the bolt in its end positions through elastic buckling and recovery, without requiring additional actuating forces or complex control mechanisms. The system uses the spring's inherent elastic properties to maintain reliable positioning, reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability
2Reliability
If high actuating forces are used to move the bolt between positions, then the bolt remains securely in end positions, but this requires more powerful actuating mechanisms increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spring constant and preload parameters to create a force profile where moderate actuating forces can move the bolt between positions, while the spring's elastic buckling provides secure positioning without requiring持续 high forces. This resolves the contradiction by reducing the peak actuating force requirement while maintaining secure positioning
3Ease of manufacture
If gravity-dependent locking mechanisms are used, then the structure can be simplified, but the locking reliability deteriorates under vibration or when orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gravity-dependent mechanical locking with an elastic spring-based positioning system. The spring's elastic buckling and recovery provide orientation-independent positioning reliability, eliminating the sensitivity to gravity and vibration while maintaining structural simplicity. This resolves the contradiction by substituting the gravity-based mechanism with an elastic deformation-based mechanism
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 enables reliable and cost-effective locking with reduced maintenance, as the buckling element effectively fixes the bolt in both end positions using elastic buckling, eliminating the need for high actuating forces and ensuring stability against gravity and vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
the buckling element buckles elastically as a result of the movement of the mechanical component
Implementation Method 2
the buckling element is a helical spring... The compression spring is installed in the housing with preload
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lock (1) comprising: a housing (2), a lock mechanism (6) arranged in the housing (2) with a bolt (7), wherein the bolt (7) can be extended and retracted between its two end positions by means of the lock mechanism (6), at least one folding element (11) arranged in the housing (2), wherein the folding element (11) is connected at a connection point (13) to a mechanical component (8) of the lock mechanism (6), wherein the longest extension of the folding element (11) is defined along a first axis (14), wherein the connection point (13) of the mechanical component (8) moves along a second axis (15) when the bolt (7) is extended and retracted, and wherein the first axis (14) is angled relative to the second axis (15) such that when the bolt (7) is moved into at least one end position, the folding element (11) folds elastically and thus the folding element (11) engages the lock mechanism (6) in the End position holds.