Retraction Device with Pivoting Joint for High Inertia Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retraction devices fail to reliably operate with high mass inertia objects, such as sliding doors, as they can experience sudden loads that lead to damage due to the driver element jumping out of its recess or pins disengaging from the carrier plate.

Innovation Solution

The retraction device incorporates a pivoting and sliding joint with a stop that limits pivoting, encloses an acute angle with the guide link sections, and features a third bearing element that forms a joint with the driver element guide part, combined with a spring energy store to absorb sudden loads, making it self-locking in the stable parked position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the driver element is mounted with pins in slots and carrier plate recesses, then the device can operate with simple structure, but the pins can jump out of the conductor tracks or the driver can jump out of the recess when objects with high mass inertia strike

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddriver element retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The driver element is divided into multiple functional parts: a body portion, a driver portion with bearing surface, and multiple bearing elements (first, second, and third bearing elements) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each part to perform specific functions - the first and second bearing elements guide motion along track sections while the third bearing element provides additional stability, preventing the driver from jumping out of its recess during high inertia operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pivoting and sliding joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the driver element and the driver element guide part. This joint includes a third bearing element that forms a pivoting and sliding connection, allowing controlled motion while maintaining reliable connection. The joint's thrust direction encloses an acute angle with the first guide link section, creating a mechanical advantage that prevents disengagement under sudden loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the driver element is allowed to pivot freely, then the device can accommodate motion variations, but the driver element can become unstable and jump out of position under sudden loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion accommodationVSAvoiddriver element position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The driver element is designed with controlled dynamics - it can pivot and slide through the pivoting and sliding joint to accommodate motion variations, but the range of motion is limited by the stop protruding from the driver element guide part. The third bearing element in the guide slot allows the driver element to pivot within a controlled angular range, maintaining adaptability while preventing excessive movement that would cause instability under sudden loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stop protruding from the driver element guide part provides preliminary anti-action by limiting the pivoting range of the driver element before excessive motion can occur. This preventive measure ensures that even under sudden loads from high mass inertia objects, the driver element cannot pivot beyond the safe angular limit, maintaining position stability while still allowing necessary motion accommodation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 design effectively absorbs sudden loads and maintains reliability by ensuring the driver element remains locked in the stable parked position, preventing accidental disengagement and damage during high inertia movements.

Implementation Method 1

a spring energy store (81) forming a drive element (81) are arranged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring energy storage: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the spring energy store (81) forming a drive element (81) are arranged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic energy absorption: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a driver element (41) which can be guided by means of two bearing elements (42, 43) along at least a first guide slot section (32) and a second guide slot section (33)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

a driver element (41) which can be guided by means of two bearing elements (42, 43) along at least a first guide slot section (32) and a second guide slot section (33)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNormal force: Force

Implementation Method 5

the pivoting and sliding joint has a thrust direction which encloses an acute angle with the direction of the first guide link section (35), the apex of said angle being located on the side facing away from the second guide link section (36) in relation to the bearing pins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3478916B1Drawing-in device for objects with high inertia
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 ZIMMER MARTIN
  • EP3478916B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3478916B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3478916B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a drawing-in device having a housing in which a driving element can be guided by means of two bearing elements along at least a first guideway portion and a second guideway portion enclosing an obtuse angle with the first, between a stable parking position and an end position, wherein the driving element has a third bearing element which forms a pivoting prismatic joint with a driving element guide part which can be guided in the direction of the second guideway portion and which is loaded in the direction of the end position by means of a spring energy accumulator. The driving element guide part has at least one stop which projects beyond the first bearing element on the side facing away from the second guideway portion. In addition, the pivoting prismatic joint has a sliding direction which encloses an acute angle with the direction of the first guideway portion, wherein the apex of said angle is situated with respect to the bearing journals on the side facing away from the second guideway portion. A drawing-in device which is operationally reliable under high inertia is developed by means of the present invention.