Magnet-Actuated Movable Control Cam for Automatic Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic locks with control cams often result in grinding marks and require complex adjustments, which can lead to the control cam protruding and interfering with the lock case, especially when the door is open.
Innovation Solution
The control cam is movably mounted within the locking plate and retracted in its basic position, with a magnet used to move it into the release position only when the lock case is above the striking plate, eliminating the need for adjustment and preventing contact with the locking plate, thus avoiding grinding marks and protrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control cam is fixed and protrudes from the locking plate to activate the button, then the button can be reliably triggered, but the control cam creates grinding marks on the locking plate and requires complex adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The control cam is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between retracted and protruding states. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable button triggering only when needed (door closed) while avoiding contact with the locking plate when not needed (door open), thus preventing grinding marks.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnet is introduced as an intermediary force to control the position of the control cam. The magnet attracts the control cam to protrude when the door is closed, enabling button activation, and releases it to retract when the door is open, preventing grinding marks. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the control cam is adjustable to prevent protrusion when door is open, then interference with lock case is avoided, but the adjustment process becomes complex and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The control cam system becomes self-regulating through the magnet's automatic attraction and release mechanisms. The control cam automatically protrudes when the door closes (activating the button) and retracts when the door opens (avoiding interference), without requiring any manual adjustment. This eliminates the complex adjustment process entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with a magnetic field-based automatic control system. Instead of requiring mechanical positioning and adjustment of the control cam, the magnet provides automatic positional control based on the door's open/closed state, simplifying the overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the control cam protrudes from the locking plate to activate the button, then the button function is activated, but the control cam may hit the lock case when the door is open
Solution Approach 1:
The control cam transitions from a static protruding position to a dynamic system that changes position based on door state. It protrudes when the door is closed to activate the button and retracts when the door is open to avoid hitting the lock case, ensuring both operational reliability and positional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control cam undergoes periodic positional changes corresponding to the door's opening and closing cycles. During each cycle, it protrudes during the closed state for button activation and retracts during the open state to prevent interference, ensuring reliable operation without collision.
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 design ensures precise triggering of the button function without grinding marks and prevents the control cam from protruding when the door is open, enhancing the automatic locking mechanism's reliability and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet is provided to move the control cam into the release position
Data Source
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AI summary
The automatic lock structure (5) has a lock case that is arranged opposite to a locking plate and is spaced away. A movable latch is moved between open position and closed position of the lock case. A control cam is movably mounted and in the base position of the locking plate and is connected to a button. The position of the lock case and locking plate are controlled with button by triggering the movement of the larch from the open position to the closed position. A magnet is protruded in the open position of the button for moving the control cam.