Flexible Padlock Shackle Retention Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing padlocks with flexible shackles face challenges in maintaining secure locking without complex structural designs, which increases production costs and assembly complexity, while also risking unintentional unlocking due to automatic shackle release.
Innovation Solution
A padlock design featuring a drive element with a rotating body and a prestressed locking element that secures the blocking element against automatic displacement, allowing controlled release by overcoming a defined force threshold, thus maintaining the shackle in place even when unlocked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shackle end is released in the unlocked state, then the shackle can be removed from the lock body, but the shackle may accidentally detach due to gravity or tensile stress
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed to preliminarily counteract forces that could cause accidental shackle detachment. When the drive element is in the unlocked position, the blocking element remains in the locked position, preventing the shackle end from leaving the shackle receptacle despite gravitational or tensile forces acting on it.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is positioned in advance to secure the shackle end before any accidental detachment can occur. The drive element's unlocked position automatically maintains the blocking element in its blocking position, providing preliminary protection against unintended shackle release.
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to prevent unintentional unlocking, then security is improved, but production costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element and drive element are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The drive element's rotational position automatically controls the blocking element's position through direct mechanical coupling, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive element serves multiple functions: it controls the blocking element's position, maintains the shackle in a secured state during unlocking, and prevents unintentional detachment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
3Ease of operation
If the blocking element is easily movable for quick release, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unintended release is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed with a spherical or rounded shape that fits into a corresponding receptacle in the drive element. This curved geometry allows the blocking element to be easily moved when sufficient force is applied while maintaining secure engagement during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the blocking element and its interaction with the drive element are optimized to change the force threshold dynamically. Normal operational forces are insufficient to move the blocking element, but deliberate user action with sufficient force can easily release it when the drive element is in the unlocked position.
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 simplifies the structural complexity of padlocks, reduces production costs, and ensures secure locking without unintended unlocking, as the shackle remains held in place until a sufficient force is applied to release it, preventing accidental detachment.
Implementation Method 1
the locking element is prestressed against the blocking element in the unlocked position, to secure the blocking element against automatic displacement into the release position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
A padlock comprises a lock body and a shackle, which is particularly flexible and has a first shackle end. The lock body has a first shackle receptacle to selectively receive the first shackle end. The lock body further comprises a locking element that is movable between a locking position, in which it prevents the first shackle end from leaving the first shackle receptacle, and a release position, in which it releases the first shackle end to leave the first shackle receptacle. The lock body also comprises a drive element that is rotatable between a locking position, in which it locks the blocking element in its locked position, and an unlocking position, in which it allows the blocking element to be moved into its release position.The drive element in turn comprises a rotating body and a locking element which is displaceably mounted on the rotating body, wherein the locking element is biased against the blocking element in the unlocking position in order to secure the blocking element against automatic movement into the release position.