Rotating Bolt Lock Mechanism Resists External Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks, particularly those for safes, face issues with insufficient locking strength and vulnerability to external impact forces, leading to potential breakage and easy unlocking when subjected to linear motion trajectories.
Innovation Solution
A rotating bolt mechanism with a bolt body that rotates into and out of a recessed channel in the locking tab, utilizing either an electronic or mechanical drive mechanism, providing high-strength locking and eliminating the risk of external impact unlocking through a large contact area and stable rotational motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a swinging or moving lock block is used to achieve jamming of the locking tab, then the locking mechanism can be simple in structure, but the locking strength is insufficient and the mechanism is easily unlocked by external impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static swinging lock block to a dynamic rotating bolt mechanism. The bolt rotates about a central axis to engage or disengage from the locking tab, providing stable locking strength while maintaining structural simplicity. The rotational motion allows the bolt to withstand external impact forces without being easily dislodged.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt body is segmented with a recess disposed on its side portion, creating distinct functional zones. The recess provides a physical portion that interfaces with the locking tab, while the main bolt body provides structural strength. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to achieve both simplicity and high locking strength.
2Strength
If the lock block size and strength are increased to improve locking strength, then the locking strength improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the size of a static lock block, the patent uses a rotating bolt mechanism where the locking strength is achieved through rotational engagement. The bolt's rotation about its central axis creates mechanical advantage, providing high locking strength without requiring a larger or more complex block structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt body with its recess creates functional segmentation that concentrates the locking force at the interface between the physical portion of the recess and the locking tab. This allows the majority of the bolt body to maintain a compact, simple structure while still achieving high locking strength at the critical interface.
3Ease of operation
If a key-drawn locking mechanism is used, then the locking mechanism can operate in a linear motion trajectory, but it is vulnerable to external impact forces that can cause instant movement and unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces linear motion with rotational motion. The bolt rotates about its central axis to engage or disengage from the locking tab, rather than moving linearly along a trajectory. This rotational engagement makes the mechanism resistant to external impact forces, as the torque required to rotate the bolt away from engagement is significantly higher than the force required to move a linear lock block.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess in the bolt body creates a specialized physical portion that interfaces with the locking tab. This segmentation allows the bolt to maintain rotational stability while providing a dedicated engagement surface, enhancing both operational simplicity and anti-impact reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lock and a rotating bolt thereof are provided, wherein the rotating bolt is configured to lock a locking tab of a lock and includes a bolt body, the bolt body is a column with a recess disposed on a side portion, and the bolt body is rotatable about a central axis thereof; during locking, a physical portion at the recess of the bolt body of the rotating bolt is rotated into a movement channel of the locking tab, and the physical portion at the recess of the bolt body of the rotating bolt rests against an inner end portion of the locking tab; during unlocking, the physical portion at the recess of the bolt body of the rotating bolt is rotated out of the movement channel of the locking tab. In this way, the structure is simple, the manufacturing cost is low, and the rotating bolt has very high working strength, can withstand high-strength destructive power from the locking tab, and completely eliminates the possibility of external impact unlocking.