Pin Locking Device With Spring-Biased Latch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pin locks require manual manipulation of a locking member to secure and release the shaft, which can be inconvenient and may not provide immediate confirmation of a secure lock engagement.
Innovation Solution
A spring-biased latch mechanism within the lock body engages a recessed portion of the shaft upon insertion, allowing for a snap-fit interlocking engagement that provides audible and tactile confirmation of a locked state, and can be released by a rotatable locking mechanism to facilitate easy withdrawal of the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional pin lock uses a locking member that must be manually manipulated to secure and release the shaft, then the locking mechanism provides secure engagement, but the operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member is spring-biased to automatically engage with the recessed portion of the shaft upon insertion, locking the shaft in place without requiring manual manipulation of a locking member. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion to trigger automatic engagement, eliminating the need for separate locking actions
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased latch member is pre-positioned and energized before shaft insertion. When the shaft is inserted, the latch automatically engages with the recessed portion, providing immediate locking action without requiring the user to perform additional locking steps
2Reliability
If a conventional pin lock requires manual manipulation of a locking member, then the locking mechanism can be controlled, but it does not provide immediate confirmation of secure engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic engagement of the spring-biased latch member with the recessed portion of the shaft provides immediate tactile and audible feedback to the user. This feedback confirms that the shaft is securely locked in place, eliminating uncertainty about engagement status without requiring additional manual steps
3Productivity
If a locking mechanism uses a spring-biased latch for automatic engagement, then ease of insertion is improved, but the complexity of the locking mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: a spring-biased latch member for automatic engagement, a recessed portion on the shaft for latching, and a simple rotatable locking member for release. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple
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
The solution enables secure locking and easy release of the shaft without manual manipulation, providing a convenient and reliable locking mechanism with audible and tactile feedback for secure engagement.
Implementation Method 1
A latch member is disposed within the lock body and includes a shaft aperture for receiving the locking end of the shaft therethrough. The shaft aperture includes an edge portion spring biased radially inward of the lock opening to engage the recessed portion with the edge portion
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device includes a shaft, a locking head joined to the shaft, and a lock body having a lock opening for receiving a locking end of the shaft. A latch member is disposed within the lock body and includes a shaft aperture for receiving the locking end of the shaft therethrough. The shaft aperture includes an edge portion spring biased radially inward of the lock opening to engage the recessed portion with the edge portion when the locking end of the shaft is disposed in the lock opening. A locking member is disposed within the lock body. Rotation of the locking member from a locked condition to an unlocked condition moves the edge portion of the shaft aperture out of engagement with the recessed portion of the shaft to permit withdrawal of the shaft from the lock opening.