Motorized Lock Rotor Mechanism for Low-Force Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric lock devices for opening and closing members, such as gloveboxes, require high pushing loads when closing due to resistance between the worm wheel and worm during rotation.
Innovation Solution
An electric lock device with a rotor that can rotate independently of the wheel, allowing the rod to disengage from the lock portion without requiring significant pushing force, utilizing a motor, wheel, and rotor mechanism with a pressing portion to overcome the biasing force of a torsion spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the worm wheel meshes with the worm to rotate the rod, then the lock can be released, but the pushing load becomes relatively high due to resistance during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rotation mechanism into two independent parts: the wheel that meshes with the worm for reliable locking, and the rotor that rotates independently to reduce pushing load. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor acts as an intermediary between the wheel and the rod. It receives rotational motion from the wheel through the pressing portion engagement, then transmits it to the rod independently, mediating the force transmission to reduce the pushing load required.
2Reliability
If the rod is biased by the biasing member to engage with the lock portion, then the locking is secure, but the rod cannot be drawn in easily when closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the rotor dynamically independent from the wheel, allowing it to rotate freely in the direction that draws the rod in during closing operations. This dynamic independence enables the rod to be drawn in easily against the biasing member force without requiring the wheel to rotate against worm resistance.
3Reliability
If the wheel rotates in conjunction with the worm, then the locking mechanism is reliable, but the rotor cannot rotate independently to facilitate easy closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rotation function into two independent rotational capabilities: the wheel's rotation driven by the worm for reliable locking, and the rotor's independent rotation for easy closing operations. This segmentation enables both reliability and adaptability to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the wheel and rotor into a single integrated mechanism where they can rotate independently yet work together. The wheel and rotor are merged in such a way that the pressing portion engagement allows the rotor to be driven by the wheel when needed, while maintaining the ability to rotate independently.
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
Reduces the pushing load required to close the opening and closing member by allowing the rotor to rotate independently of the wheel, facilitating easy engagement with the lock portion.
Implementation Method 1
the motor is operated to rotate the wheel in the predetermined direction, whereby the pressing portion of the wheel is brought into contact with the receiving portion of the rotor, the rotor rotates against the biasing force of the biasing member
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member configured to directly or indirectly bias the rod in a direction in which the rod is brought into engagement with the lock portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electric lock device for an opening and closing member includes: a lock portion; a rod; a biasing member; and an actuator. The actuator includes a case, a motor, a wheel, and a rotor. The wheel is provided with a pressing portion that is configured to engage with a receiving portion provided on the rotor or the rod when the wheel rotates in a predetermined direction to move the rod. When a rotation force is applied to the rotor in a direction against a biasing force of the biasing member via the rod in a state where the rod is biased by the biasing member in a direction in which the rod is engaged with the lock portion, the rotor is capable of rotating independently of the wheel in a direction in which the receiving portion is separated from the pressing portion.