Long Throw Lock with Accelerator Gear Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current key actuated long throw locks require modified euro cylinder locks to achieve full extended bolt throw, which are complex and costly, limiting accessibility and increasing manufacturing and repair costs.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a back plate with a rack gear profile and an accelerator gear that moves along an arcuate path, engaging with a standard euro cylinder cam to extend the bolt throw without needing modifications, using a standard euro cylinder with a cam or a round lock cylinder with an adaptor cam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a standard euro cylinder lock with cam is used, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the bolt throw length is limited to about 170 degrees of cam rotation
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate accelerator gear is introduced between the cam and the locking bolt. The cam drives the accelerator gear, which in turn drives the locking bolt through gear engagement. This intermediary mechanism allows the limited cam rotation (170 degrees) to be converted into a much longer bolt throw distance, resolving the contradiction between using a simple standard cylinder and achieving extended bolt travel.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerator gear follows an arcuate path that is longer than the linear displacement of the cam. By converting the rotational motion of the cam into arcuate motion of the accelerator gear, which then drives the locking bolt, the system extends the effective throw distance beyond what the cam's limited rotation would directly provide.
2Length of moving object
If a modified euro cylinder lock is used to achieve extended bolt throw, then the bolt throw length is increased, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the standard euro cylinder with cam, the accelerator gear with arcuate path, and the locking bolt with rack gear. This segmentation allows the use of a standard, easily manufactured euro cylinder while adding only the necessary accelerator gear component to achieve extended throw, rather than modifying the entire cylinder assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerator gear serves multiple functions: it is driven by the cam to convert limited cam rotation into extended motion, it engages with the rack gear on the locking bolt to drive it, and it follows an arcuate path that accommodates the mechanical constraints. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system compared to completely modified euro cylinders.
3Length of moving object
If a modified euro cylinder lock is used, then the bolt throw is extended, but the ease of repair is reduced due to unavailable modified components
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator gear acts as a simple intermediary component that can be easily manufactured and replaced. Since it is a separate, standalone gear mechanism rather than an integrated part of a modified euro cylinder, it can be independently produced and swapped if damaged, greatly improving repairability compared to modified cylinders where specialized components are hard to source.
4Length of moving object
If the cam rotates only 170 degrees, then the device complexity is minimized, but the bolt throw distance is insufficient for long throw applications
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator gear's arcuate path converts the limited 170-degree cam rotation into a much longer linear travel distance for the locking bolt. The arcuate geometry allows a small angular displacement to be transformed into a large linear displacement, effectively extending the bolt throw without requiring prolonged cam rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerator gear's arcuate path is designed to amplify the cam's rotational motion. By creating a mechanical copy or transformation of the cam's motion through the gear's arcuate engagement with the rack, the system achieves extended throw from limited rotation.
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 a cost-effective and easier-to-manufacture and repair key operated long throw bolt lock that achieves full extended bolt throw with a single turn of the key, compatible with standard lock cylinders and cams, reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
as the cam rotates about the lock cylinder it engages the notch and urges the accelerator gear from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
The accelerator gear comprises a curved edge having teeth which engage the rack gear profile of the locking bolt
Data Source
AI summary
A lock with an extended bolt throw comprising a back plate, a locking bolt having a rack gear profile on at least a portion of one side, slidably mounted to the back plate movable between a first position and a second position. An accelerator gear mounted to the back plate movable along an arcuate path between a first and second position. The accelerator gear comprising a curved edge having teeth which engage the rack gear profile of the locking bolt, and an opposing edge having a centrally located notch for engagement of a cam of a lock cylinder. Wherein as the cam rotates about the lock cylinder it engages the notch and urges the accelerator gear from the first position to the second position, which urges the locking bolt from the first position to the second position.