Rotating Locking Shaft Mechanism for Theft-Proof Cycle Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current locking mechanisms for cycle management systems are not theft-proof, prone to malfunction, and can be difficult for users to operate, leading to improper locking and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism featuring a cylindrical locking shaft that rotates between locked and unlocked positions, equipped with an irreversible drive and sensors to detect the cycle's presence and position, ensuring secure locking and preventing damage during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with moveable parts is used, then the cycle can be locked and unlocked, but the mechanism may break, malfunction, or be manipulated to unlock without permission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vulnerable moveable locking components and replaces them with a simplified system consisting of a locking member on the cycle and a locking receptacle at the docking station. The locking member is a relatively stationary component that engages with the receptacle, eliminating the complex moveable parts that were prone to failure and manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the docking station's locking mechanism actively secure the cycle through moveable components, the system inverts the approach by having the cycle's locking member passively engage with the receptacle. The locking shaft rotates to present or retract the locking member, reversing the traditional active-passive relationship and simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic components are used in the locking mechanism, then the mechanism is simple to manufacture, but the components yield quickly or easily to strong forces, releasing the cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining metal components (locking shaft, locking member) with plastic components (receptacle housing). The metal elements provide the necessary strength and durability to resist forced entry, while the plastic housing maintains ease of manufacture and assembly. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and mechanical strength.
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism requires force to insert or remove the cycle, then the cycle is securely locked, but many users may not be able to apply this force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical force-based locking system with an automated motor-driven system. A motor rotates the locking shaft to engage or disengage the locking member, eliminating the need for users to apply physical force. This substitution maintains secure locking while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism performs the locking and unlocking actions automatically through the motor-driven shaft rotation. The system serves itself by detecting when the cycle is present and automatically engaging the locking member, rather than requiring user effort to manipulate the locking mechanism.
4Reliability
If the locking shaft slides or displaces linearly, then the locking mechanism can engage the locking member, but the mechanism can be manipulated by wiggling the cycle to displace the moveable member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rotational motion of the locking shaft rather than linear sliding. The shaft rotates to present or retract the locking member, creating a circular engagement path that is resistant to manipulation. This rotational approach, combined with the irreversible drive mechanism, prevents the linear displacement that could be exploited by wiggling or shaking the cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The irreversible drive mechanism (such as a worm gear) provides a form of pre-engineered resistance to reverse motion. Once the locking shaft rotates to engage the locking member, the irreversible drive prevents any backward rotation that would disengage the lock, cushioning against manipulation attempts before they can succeed.
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 solution provides a reliable, theft-proof locking system that minimizes damage and ensures easy operation, allowing users to securely lock and unlock cycles without applying excessive force, thereby enhancing user experience and system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an irreversible drive such as a worm drive driven by a motor to rotate the locking shaft
Implementation Method 2
optical wheel sensors to detect the position of the locking shaft. The optical wheel sensors may detect the shaft's position by detecting when a smaller wheel diameter of the sensing wheel aligns with one of the optical wheel sensors
Data Source
AI summary
An object management system and locking mechanism and method. The system comprises a plurality of docking stations and a terminal connected to the docking stations by a network. At least one of the docking stations includes the locking mechanism for locking a locking member secured to an object. The locking mechanism includes: a locking receptacle configured to receive the locking member, as well as a locking shaft with a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking shaft is configured to secure the locking member when the locking shaft is in the locked position while the locking receptacle is receiving the locking member. The locking shaft rotates to switch between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking mechanism can provide a secure lock on an object, preventing reversal of the locking mechanism and theft of the object.