Locking Element for Adjustable Lying Surface to Prevent Self-Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lying surfaces with pivotable head parts and central parts face issues in limiting pivoting angles to prevent self-locking during operation of electric motor-driven swivel drives, particularly when mechanical inaccuracies cause the head part to unintentionally fold down, leading to operational failures.
Innovation Solution
A locking element is strategically placed between the pivotally connected head part areas to limit the pivoting angle and prevent undesirable folding, ensuring the head parts remain aligned with the central part, using a locking element that forms stop surfaces to maintain the extended position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a joint part with two joint axes and stop surfaces is used to limit the pivoting angle, then the pivoting angle can be limited, but additional fixing elements such as bolts are required to lock the individual parts at a specific pivoting angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex joint part with multiple joint axes and stop surfaces. Instead, it uses a simple locking element that can be inserted into a recess to directly limit the pivoting angle, removing the need for additional fixing elements like bolts while maintaining reliable angle limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves multiple functions: it limits the pivoting angle, locks the head part areas in position, and prevents self-locking of the lifting drive. This single element replaces the complex multi-component joint part system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the head part areas are designed to be pivotable relative to one another, then adjustability is improved, but mechanical inaccuracies or play in bearing elements can cause the upper head part area to fall below the level of the other head part area
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is inserted into the recess before the head part areas are fully positioned, preliminarily preventing any potential downward folding due to mechanical play or inaccuracies. This proactive measure ensures the upper head part area remains at the correct level without requiring complex bearing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary between the two head part areas, providing a mechanical stop that prevents the upper area from falling below the correct level. This intermediary component compensates for mechanical inaccuracies and play in the bearing elements, maintaining position stability.
3Device complexity
If the lifting rod runs approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the two pivotally interconnected longitudinal beams, then the lifting drive can be compact, but self-locking can occur when the head part areas are in a continuous stretched position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element provides preliminary anti-action by preventing the head part areas from folding downward, which would cause self-locking in the lifting drive. By maintaining the correct angular relationship between head part areas, the locking element prevents the conditions that lead to self-locking while allowing the lifting rod to run parallel to the longitudinal axis for compact design.
Data Source
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Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
Locking element for a lying surface (3), which consists of at least one head part (7) which is pivotably connected to a central part (5) via a horizontal pivot axis (8), the lying surface (3) consisting of longitudinal bars and transverse bars connected thereto, the Locking element (20) for limiting the pivoting angle in the area of the pivot axis (8) is arranged at least between the longitudinal bars (21) of the central part (5) and the longitudinal bars (22) of the head part (7) and has stop surfaces (30, 31). the associated stop faces (32, 36) of the two longitudinal beams (21, 22).