Locking Pin Neutral Position Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking bolts with adjusting pins face issues where the neutral position is not easily recognizable or securely locked, leading to potential failure under improper loading, especially with filigree locking elements that can break over time.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates locking tongues with radially outer latching grooves and a detent ball that moves between the pull knob and guide sleeve, allowing for easy recognition and secure locking of the neutral position, with precise guidance and support to prevent deviation or breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a detent with polygonal profiles is used to fix the neutral position by rotation, then the neutral position can be secured, but the operator may accidentally rotate the pull knob further and return to the locked position, making the position unclear and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure locking of neutral positionVSAvoidclear recognition of neutral position
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A detent ball is introduced as an intermediary element that automatically engages with a detent groove at the neutral position. This mediator provides automatic positive locking without requiring operator intervention or rotation, eliminating the ambiguity of manual positioning while ensuring reliable securing of the neutral position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism serves itself through the automatic engagement of the detent ball with the detent groove when the adjusting pin reaches the neutral position. The system self-locks without requiring the operator to perform additional actions, ensuring both reliability and clear position recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If filigree locking elements are used in the unlocking button, then the device complexity is reduced, but the locking elements can break under improper loading over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of locking mechanismVSAvoiddurability of locking elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is segmented into multiple robust elements (detent ball, detent groove, locking tongues) distributed throughout the mechanism. This segmentation allows each element to be simple in design while collectively providing high reliability and resistance to breaking under load, avoiding the need for complex single-element solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detent ball and groove geometry is designed to accommodate and cushion improper loading conditions before they can cause failure. The mechanical design inherently absorbs stress and prevents catastrophic failure of individual locking elements, extending their service life under operational stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pull knob can be rotated freely relative to the guide sleeve, then the adjusting pin can be positioned, but without precise rotation control the locking pin may not reach the correct position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of neutral positionVSAvoidprecise positioning of locking pin
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detent ball acts as a mediator that automatically stops the adjusting pin at the precise neutral position by engaging with the detent groove. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually achieve precise positioning through rotation, while still allowing adaptability in setting different neutral positions through the adjustable detent groove location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration ensures the locking pin's neutral position is easily recognizable and securely locked, providing stability and preventing the locking elements from breaking, even under operational stress, with a simple and logical operation for the operator.

Implementation Method 1

against the actuating force of an axial compression spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The adjusting spring (35) acts with its spring force on the adjusting pin (10) in its retracted position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3098461B1Locking pin
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 OTTO GANTER GMBH & CO KG NORMTEILEFAB
  • EP3098461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3098461B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3098461B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking bolt (1) with an adjusting pin (10) which has a locking pin (11) in one end region, with which the adjusting pin (10) can be adjusted in a guide bore (6) of a guide sleeve (2) from a locked position projecting axially from the guide sleeve (2) against the actuating force of an axial compression spring (36) to a retracted neutral position not projecting axially from the guide sleeve (2), wherein a pull knob (14) with an inner mounting sleeve (16) is provided, with which the pull knob (14) is fixedly arranged in the second end region of the adjusting pin (10) on a receiving section (13) of the adjusting pin (10), wherein the pull knob (14) forms an outer guide sleeve (18) at a radial distance from its inner mounting sleeve (16), with which the pull knob (14) is slidably mounted on a sleeve section (5) of the guide sleeve (2), and wherein the pull knob (14) has a release button (25),which is axially adjustable to a limited extent in the pull knob (14) and can be adjusted from a position projecting axially from the pull knob (14) into the pull knob (14) against the spring force of an adjusting spring (35), wherein the position projecting from the pull knob (14) can be fixed by detent means (28, 29, 31, 32, 33) acting between the release button (25) and the sleeve section (5) of the guide sleeve (5). For easy identification of the locking neutral position of the pull knob and for easy unlocking, the release button (25) has detent tongues which project inwards through the upper, outer end wall (19) of the pull knob (14) into the axial area between the inner mounting sleeve (16) and the outer guide sleeve (18).