Lock Assembly Bolt Extension Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locks face issues with the locking bolt not fully extending due to insufficient travel path and requiring a bolt spring for extension, and lack of immediate visual indication of the lock's status, compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
A lock assembly design featuring a latching device, linking device, and locking mechanism with a bolt base, base spring, pushing element, lever element, and locking bolt, where the locking bolt can be fully extended and maintained in a locked position due to a curved travel path and abutment mechanisms, providing visual feedback on force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the locking bolt is pushed by the rotation of the locking cylinder and the pivotal rotation of the pushing lug, then the locking mechanism can be actuated, but the travel path of the pushing lug may not be sufficient to push the locking bolt to completely extend out of the body
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing lug is designed with a curved surface that contacts the locking bolt. As the locking cylinder rotates, the curved surface of the pushing lug converts rotational motion into linear extension motion of the locking bolt, providing sufficient travel path for complete extension without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A pushing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the locking cylinder and the locking bolt. The pushing element receives force from the locking cylinder through the pushing lug and transmits it to the locking bolt, ensuring reliable force transmission and complete extension even when the travel path of the pushing lug is limited.
2Reliability
If a bolt spring is used to provide pushing force to the locking bolt, then the locking bolt can extend out of the body, but the locking bolt may not actually extend to the locking position when a drag force or a large friction force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The base spring mounted on the bolt base provides a counteracting force to drag forces and friction. The base spring is pre-loaded to ensure that the combined pushing force from the locking cylinder and the base spring is sufficient to overcome any resistance and reliably extend the locking bolt to the locking position.
Solution Approach 2:
The base spring is pre-compressed to store elastic potential energy before the locking operation. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the locking bolt encounters drag force or friction, the stored energy in the base spring is released to provide additional pushing force, guaranteeing complete extension to the locking position.
3Ease of operation
If the locking bolt is not at the locking position, then the lock assembly can be operated, but the user cannot be immediately aware of the situation merely from the appearance of the lock assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The lock assembly incorporates visual indicators that change appearance based on the locking bolt's position. When the locking bolt is fully extended to the locking position, the indicator displays a specific visual state (such as alignment of markings or color change), providing immediate visual feedback to the user about the lock status without affecting operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock assembly includes a visual feedback mechanism that provides immediate information about the locking bolt's position. The feedback is integrated into the appearance of the lock assembly, allowing users to instantly determine whether the locking bolt is at the locking position or not, eliminating information loss while maintaining ease of operation.
4Device complexity
If the locking bolt is held in position by friction between the locking bolt and the bolt base, then the structure can be simplified, but the locking bolt may not hold the lock assembly at a locked condition stably
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the locking bolt for engagement, the bolt base for support and spring mounting, the pushing element for actuation, and the lever element for motion conversion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably, with the locking bolt held stable by both mechanical constraints and spring force, rather than relying solely on friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static friction-based holding system to a dynamic spring-based system. The base spring continuously applies force to maintain the locking bolt in the locked position, providing active stabilization rather than passive friction-based holding, thereby improving locked condition stability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
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
Ensures the locking bolt can fully extend and maintain a stable locked condition, enhancing safety by providing immediate awareness of drag or friction forces and preventing accidental unlocking.
Implementation Method 1
a base spring mounted on the body and having two ends connected respectively to the body and the bolt base
Implementation Method 2
a lever element pivotally connected to the body and connected moveably to the pushing element, wherein the locking bolt is connected moveably to and pushed by the lever element
Implementation Method 3
holding the locking bolt in the locking position by friction between the locking bolt and the bolt base
Data Source
AI summary
A lock assembly has a body, a latching device, a linking device and a locking mechanism. The linking device is connected to and driven by the latching device. The locking mechanism is moveably mounted in the body and has a bolt base, a pushing element, a lever element and a locking bolt. The bolt base is mounted slidably in the body. The locking bolt is slidably mounted on the bolt base and is driven to retract into or completely extends out from the body with the transmission of the pushing element and the lever element.