Locking Actuator Handle With Position-Agnostic Shuttle Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking mechanisms for hitch mounts require the handle to be in a specific position or orientation for locking and unlocking, which is inconvenient and may lead to accidental disengagement or theft.
Innovation Solution
A position-agnostic locking actuator handle with a shaft, handle body, and transmission structure that allows locking and unlocking in any position, featuring a shuttle biased to engage with openings in the transmission structure, enabling independent rotation of the handle body and shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an in-line locking feature is used, then security against theft and accidental disengagement is improved, but the handle must be in a specific position or orientation for locking, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lock assembly is designed to be operable at any rotational position of the handle body, transforming the static locking mechanism into a dynamic one that adapts to any handle orientation. The shuttle and projection mechanism allows locking regardless of where the handle is pointing, eliminating the need for specific positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is made universal by allowing the lock assembly to function at any rotational position. The handle body can be locked in any orientation, making the system versatile and eliminating the limitation of position-dependent locking.
2Productivity
If the handle body is rotationally fixed to the shaft, then rotation of the handle results in rotation of the shaft for actuation, but the handle cannot spin freely when locked, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two states: locked mode where the handle body rotates independently of the shaft, and unlocked mode where the handle body is rotationally fixed to the shaft. This dynamic transition allows the handle to spin freely when locked while still enabling actuation when unlocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the handle body and shaft is segmented through the lock assembly and shuttle mechanism. The handle body and shaft are separate components that can be selectively coupled or decoupled, allowing independent rotation when locked and coupled rotation when unlocked.
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
Enables secure locking and unlocking without requiring a specific handle orientation, providing enhanced security and ease of use by allowing the handle to spin freely when locked and engaging the actuation mechanism upon alignment with the transmission structure.
Implementation Method 1
The shuttle may be spring biased toward engagement with the openings
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator assembly, including a shaft defining a rotational axis, and a handle. The handle includes a manually rotatable handle body enclosing a transmission structure, a shuttle, and a lock assembly. The transmission structure is rotationally fixed to the shaft and has one or more openings. The shuttle is spring biased toward engagement with the openings. The lock assembly is operable to transition the handle between a locked mode and an unlocked mode. In the locked mode the handle body is rotatable independent of the shaft, and in the unlocked mode the rotation of the handle body results in rotation of the shaft.