Rotary Drive Locking Mechanism for Sliding Door Force Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for sliding sash systems, such as sliding doors, face challenges due to a force curve of the solenoid being highly dependent on the position of the armature and not being optimally coordinated with the compression spring's force curve, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A locking device utilizing a rotary drive, preferably an electric motor with a gearbox and eccentric element, to provide a consistent and adjustable force curve, along with redundant rotary drives and energy storage for reliable operation, and manual unlocking mechanisms for emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a solenoid with magnetically movable armature is used to actuate the locking pin, then the locking device can be implemented with simple structure, but the force curve of the lifting magnet is strongly dependent on the position of the armature and not optimally coordinated with the compression spring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solenoid-based electromagnetic actuation system with a rotary drive system (motor plus gearbox). This substitution eliminates the position-dependent force curve issue inherent in solenoids, as the rotary drive provides controlled torque throughout the rotation cycle, enabling optimal coordination with the compression spring for reliable locking and unlocking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation mechanism from electromagnetic (solenoid) to mechanical rotational drive. This parameter change allows for a constant or optimally variable torque output independent of position, replacing the position-dependent force curve of the solenoid with a controllable rotational parameter that can be optimized for the locking mechanism's requirements.
2Volume of moving object
If a solenoid is used for actuating the locking pin, then the device can be compact, but the lifting force is relatively small when the armature is extended and increases as the armature retracts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solenoid with a rotary drive system that provides consistent and adjustable lifting force throughout the actuation cycle. The motor-driven gearbox delivers controlled torque independent of position, eliminating the force variation problem of solenoids while maintaining compact dimensions through efficient motor-gearbox integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic actuation system where the rotary drive can adjust torque output during operation. The gearbox enables variable mechanical advantage throughout the rotation cycle, allowing the system to provide optimal force at different stages of locking and unlocking, rather than relying on the passive, position-dependent force curve of a solenoid.
3Reliability
If redundant rotary drives are implemented to ensure continued operation during power failures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates redundant rotary drives as a fail-safe mechanism that can take over operation during power failures or system anomalies. This redundancy acts as a cushion against system failure, ensuring continuous locking and unlocking functionality. The additional components are designed to be activated only when needed, balancing reliability improvement with acceptable complexity through selective activation and proper integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Locking mechanism (10) for at least one carriage of a sliding door leaf (2; 3) for controlling an access (5) to a building, comprising a first, movably mounted locking element (13), and an actuation device (161; 162) for moving the first locking element (13) between an unlocked position and a locked position. The actuation device (161; 162) is a rotary drive unit. The invention further relates to a computer program product for and a system comprising a locking mechanism (10) of this type.