Pressure Plate Lock Compression Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure plate closures with torsion springs are prone to breaking under alternating bending loads and fail to provide sufficient locking force, leading to potential accidental door openings.
Innovation Solution
A pressure plate lock utilizing a compression spring housed in a pivotally mounted spring holder, which is oriented perpendicularly to the locking arm to transmit forces effectively, enhancing the locking force and durability by avoiding alternating bending loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a torsion spring is used to press the locking arm against the base plate, then the locking mechanism can maintain the door in closed position, but the torsion spring breaks due to frequent alternating bending loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the loading mode of the spring from alternating bending loads (torsion spring) to alternating compression/tension loads (compression spring). This parameter change in the type of mechanical stress applied to the spring allows it to withstand frequent door operations without breaking, as compression springs are better suited for this loading condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the torsion spring mechanism with a compression spring mechanism. This substitution changes the fundamental mechanical system from one that relies on torsional deformation to one that relies on axial compression and extension, thereby eliminating the breaking issue associated with frequent alternating bending loads.
2Force
If a torsion spring is used to lock the door, then the locking mechanism can maintain closed position, but only small forces can be transmitted for the specified size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spring configuration from a torsion spring to a compression spring, which enables significantly greater forces to be transmitted for the same size. The compression spring can generate higher locking forces to prevent accidental door opening while maintaining a compact design.
3Force
If the spring holder is arranged rigidly on the base plate, then the compression spring can transmit force to the locking arm, but the pivoting movement generates forces that could damage the spring holder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the spring holder dynamically movable relative to the base plate through a pivot connection. This allows the spring holder to adapt its position during door opening/closing movements, absorbing the generated forces and preventing damage to the spring holder while maintaining effective force transmission from the compression spring to the locking arm.
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 significantly increases the service life of the pressure plate lock and enhances security by allowing greater forces to be transmitted, reliably preventing accidental door openings.
Implementation Method 1
a spring holder 30 with a compression spring 40 is arranged on the base plate 20, with the compression spring 40 acting on the locking arm 50 in such a way that it is pressed against the base plate
Implementation Method 2
the spring holder 30 is mounted pivotably against the base plate 20 via a pin 33 arranged in a bore running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical rod 31
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The pressure plate closure (10) has a base plate (20) for fixing on a door which has a closure arm (60) for fixing on a door frame and a locking arm (50) pivotally mounted on the door. The base plate has a spring holder (30) with compression spring which impinges on the locking arm so that it can be pressed against the base plate. The spring holder is formed by a cylindrical rod (31) which has at one end a closure plate (32) of larger diameter whereby the compression spring is supported against this closure plate and locking arm. The base plate, closure arm and locking arm are made from aluminium.