Releasable Tenon Locking Core Alignment for Storage Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior locking systems for storage compartments often experience misalignment of components, making it difficult or impossible to properly reclose and lock compartments after opening, leading to instability and potential tipping of storage units.
Innovation Solution
A locking system featuring a rotatable locking core and cammed lever that operates between locked and unlocked positions, with anti-tip features to prevent simultaneous opening of multiple compartments, ensuring the locking core remains in a proper orientation and the storage unit remains stable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotatable locking core is used to operate the locking bar, then the locking mechanism can be operated between locked and unlocked positions, but misalignment of components occurs during operation making it difficult to properly reclose and lock storage compartments
Solution Approach 1:
A cammed lever is introduced as an intermediary component between the locking core and the locking bar. The cammed lever receives rotational motion from the locking core and converts it to linear motion of the locking bar, while the detent mechanism on the cammed lever ensures proper alignment and positioning throughout the operation cycle, preventing misalignment issues
Solution Approach 2:
The detent mechanism provides feedback to the operator and the system about the current state of the locking mechanism. The detent engages at specific positions of the cammed lever to indicate when the locking bar is properly aligned and locked, allowing the system to maintain proper orientation and preventing misalignment during reclosure operations
2Ease of operation
If multiple storage compartments are opened simultaneously, then access to contents is improved, but the storage unit may fall or tip over
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-tip feature is designed to prevent the storage unit from tipping over before it can occur. When multiple compartments are opened simultaneously, the anti-tip mechanism detects the resulting imbalance and activates to counteract the tipping force, thereby maintaining storage unit stability while still allowing multiple compartments to be accessed
3Reliability
If the locking core is maintained in its proper position and orientation, then all storage compartments can be properly locked, but the locking system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cammed lever serves as a mediator that maintains the locking core in its proper position and orientation. The detent mechanism on the cammed lever provides positive positioning at each stage of the locking cycle, ensuring the locking core remains aligned without requiring complex feedback control systems or additional sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The detent mechanism is self-aligning and automatically maintains the proper orientation of the locking core as it rotates through its cycle. The detent engages at the appropriate positions to self-correct any minor misalignments, maintaining reliable locking position without requiring external intervention or complex control systems
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 system effectively maintains the locking core's orientation, allowing for secure closure and locking of all compartments, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the storage unit's stability by preventing simultaneous opening of multiple compartments.
Implementation Method 1
A locking system featuring a rotatable locking core and cammed lever that operates between locked and unlocked positions
Implementation Method 2
maintains the locking core's orientation, allowing for secure closure and locking of all compartments
Data Source
AI summary
A locking system or a storage unit with the locking system, includes a locking core and a connected cammed lever. A user can rotate the core and lever about an axis when a latch is disengaged from a detent. When the latch is engaged with the detent, the core and the cammed lever are prevented from rotating about the axis. When the locking assembly is installed within the storage unit, the latch may be configured to strike a guide associated with a locking bar assembly, so that when the latch is moved to an unlatched position, the locking core and the lever are free to rotate, operating the locking bar between locked and unlocked positions. When the latch is withdrawn away from the guide, the latch engages with the detent to prevent movement of the lever and locking core relative to the locking assembly, to retain the lever and locking core in a desired, predetermined orientation.