Rolling Element Locking Mechanism for Jam-Free Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locking systems for door openers or locks tend to jam under higher loads and are bulky due to the high forces required, compromising their functional reliability and service life.
Innovation Solution
A locking system with a housing, a pivotable locking mechanism, and force transmission elements designed as rolling bodies, where at least two rolling elements are offset to generate a force component in the direction of the actuator's movement, allowing for easy release and lock control using an actuator, such as an electromagnet, with a compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional locking systems are designed to handle high forces, then they achieve sufficient locking strength, but they become bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spherical rolling elements (balls) as force transmission elements instead of traditional linear or planar components. These spherical elements roll between each other to transmit forces, enabling compact force transmission with reduced friction. The spherical geometry allows multiple force vectors to intersect at single points, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining high locking strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional sliding friction-based locking mechanisms with a rolling friction system using spherical elements. By substituting sliding contact with rolling contact, the system achieves lower friction forces and more efficient force transmission, reducing the complexity and size of components needed to handle high locking forces.
2Strength
If conventional locking systems are designed for high force transmission, then they achieve sufficient locking strength, but they tend to jam under higher loads
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical rolling elements inherently accommodate misalignments and variations in force application better than linear components. The curved surfaces allow for self-adjusting contact points, preventing binding and jamming even under high or varying loads, thereby improving reliability while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses movable spherical elements that can dynamically adjust their positions and contact points during operation. This dynamic capability allows the force transmission path to adapt to varying loads and potential misalignments, preventing the system from jamming while maintaining effective locking strength.
3Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are designed with sufficient components for stability, then they achieve reliable locking, but they require large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple force transmission functions into single spherical rolling elements. Each ball serves as both a force transmitter and a structural element, eliminating the need for separate components that would increase volume. The intersecting force vectors at single contact points allow compact arrangement of the entire locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical geometry of the rolling elements allows for compact three-dimensional arrangement of force transmission paths. Multiple force vectors can converge at single points on the spherical surfaces, enabling a compact design that maintains structural integrity and locking reliability without requiring large spatial dimensions.
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 ensures greater functional reliability, longer service life, and easier force calculation, utilizing wear-resistant rolling elements for reduced friction and manufacturing tolerances, resulting in a universally applicable and low-friction locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the mechanical interaction of the rolling elements takes place via rolling movements and rolling friction forces occur almost exclusively
Implementation Method 2
an actuator, such as an electromagnet
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
A locking system (10), in particular a locking system of a door opener or lock, comprises a housing (12), a locking mechanism (14) which cooperates with a lock latch or the like and is in particular pivotably or slidably mounted in the housing (12), an actuator (16) and force transmission elements (18) arranged between the locking mechanism (14) and the actuator (16), which are slidably mounted in the housing (12) between a locking position in which they lock the locking mechanism (14) and a release position in which they release the locking mechanism (14).In this arrangement, at least two rolling force transmission elements (18) are provided, wherein one (180) of these force transmission elements (18) can be positioned offset relative to the at least one immediately adjacent further force transmission element (181 or 181,182) by a respective actuation by the activated actuator (16) in order to transfer the force transmission elements (18) into their locking position, so that a force component extending in the direction of movement of the actuator (16) is generated and the force transmission element (180) that can be actuated by the actuator (16) can move at least substantially in the direction of movement of the actuator (16) when the actuator (16) is deactivated in order to release the locking (14).