Locking Device Bolt Bridge Plate Spindle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices face challenges in achieving a compact, reliable, and cost-effective design that meets safety requirements, particularly in high-security applications, due to complex mechanisms, insufficient operational reliability, and space constraints in redundant designs.
Innovation Solution
A locking device featuring a housing with a bolt and bridge plates that rotate relative to each other, utilizing a spindle nut with pegs interacting with grooves in the housing, allowing for a compact and stable design with self-locking capabilities, and enabling redundant or simple motor-operated operation with minimal parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If direct acting locks are used to relieve load on the drive mechanism, then the locking device becomes complex and expensive with additional locking actuations, but the operational reliability becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the direct acting lock mechanism with the drive mechanism into a unified structure. The bolt serves dual functions: as the locking element and as part of the drive mechanism itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate locking actuations while maintaining the ability to absorb high locking forces directly through the bolt-housing connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the locking element, the driven element of the drive mechanism, and the force transmission component. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed while maintaining both the force absorption capability and operational reliability.
2Reliability
If redundant design with large duplicated components is used to ensure safety, then operational reliability improves, but space requirements increase and compact dimensions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the drive mechanism components within the housing structure in a nested arrangement. The spindle is positioned within the housing, the bolt moves within the housing cavity, and the drive mechanism components are arranged to utilize the available space efficiently. This nesting allows the compact housing to contain all necessary components for reliable operation without requiring excessive volume.
3Strength
If solid drive mechanism with self-locking effect is used to withstand high external forces, then force absorption improves, but all parts including differential element must withstand high forces until self-locking is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the differential element from the drive mechanism. Instead of using a complex differential mechanism to achieve self-locking, the invention uses a simpler spindle-and-spindle-nut arrangement with direct gear drive. The self-locking effect is achieved through the gear mechanism itself rather than through a differential element, reducing the number of parts that must withstand high forces.
4Force
If lever driven by threaded spindles is used as differential, then force absorption improves, but sufficient travel lengths cannot be achieved without further measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic gear mechanism that allows the bolt to achieve sufficient travel length through the rotational motion of the gear wheels. The gear ratio and the rotational movement of the drive shaft enable the bolt to move the required distance (15mm or more) without being constrained by a fixed lever arrangement. This dynamic approach provides both the necessary force absorption and travel length.
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 a highly secure, compact locking device that meets safety standards, with enhanced force absorption and operational reliability, allowing for both redundant and simple motor-operated functions while minimizing component count.
Implementation Method 1
at least one gear mechanism between the motor and the spindle
Implementation Method 2
a spindle nut (6a, 6b) which can be moved on the spindle
Implementation Method 3
Over Directly acting locks direct the frictional connection via the bolt to the housing via the shortest route
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~10
Figure 11~15
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking device having a housing (1) and a cover (16) which closes the housing, wherein the housing (1) has arranged therein a latch (2) which can be moved back and forth in the housing (1) by means of at least one motor (4, 4a, 4b) and at least one gear mechanism between an open position and a closed position in which the latch (2) projects out of a latch opening on the front side of the housing (1) from the latter. Here, the latch (2) has a lower bolt (10a) and an upper bolt (10b) which interact with a respective bridging plate (9a, 9b) in such a way that the bridging plates (9a, 9b) are held in their centre so as to be rotatable with respect to the latch (2), wherein the bridging plates (9a, 9b) are provided at their ends with openings into which pins (17a, 17b, 22a, 22b) engage, wherein at least two of these pins (17a, 17b) are arranged on a spindle nut (6, 6a, 6b) which is movable on a spindle (5, 5a, 5b), which is rotatably mounted between the front side and the rear side of the housing (1), by means of the at least one motor (4, 4a, 4b) and the at least one gear mechanism.