Rotor-Integrated Locking Mechanism With Self-Locking Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic locking devices face issues such as complex design, high energy consumption, susceptibility to manipulation, and tampering, particularly when used with knob cylinders, due to the placement of electronics and conductors between rotating and non-rotating parts.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with an electronically controlled drive located in the rotor, utilizing a spring element to couple or lock the rotor to an output element, featuring a coupling element that moves radially within the rotor, and includes a counterweight and self-locking geometry to prevent unintended engagement or disengagement, with a compact design and drill protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electronically controlled drive is located in the rotor and coupled to the output element via a coupling element, then the locking device achieves compact design and eliminates the need for conductors between rotating and non-rotating parts, but the coupling element may be unintentionally moved into the engaged position due to centrifugal force at high rotor speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element includes a counterweight that balances the centrifugal force generated during rotor rotation. This counterweight ensures that the coupling element remains in the disengaged position even when the rotor rotates at high speeds, preventing unintended engagement while maintaining the compact drive-location design.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling element is designed to be easily movable by the spring element, then the coupling and decoupling operations become simple, but the coupling element may be unintentionally forced into the disengaged position against the spring force when high torque is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling geometry is designed with a specific angle between the torque-transmitting surface and the radial direction, creating a self-locking effect. This preliminary design feature prevents the coupling element from being unintentionally forced into the disengaged position against the spring force when high torque is applied, while still allowing easy coupling and decoupling operations under normal conditions.
3Force
If the coupling projection has a small angle to the radial direction, then a small spring force is sufficient to return the coupling element to the decoupled state, but the coupling element may engage unintentionally when high torque is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling geometry is designed with a specific angle between the torque-transmitting surface and the radial direction, creating a self-locking effect. This preliminary design feature prevents the coupling element from being unintentionally forced into the disengaged position against the spring force when high torque is applied, while still allowing easy coupling and decoupling operations under normal conditions.
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 simple, tamper-proof, and energy-efficient locking mechanism that operates flawlessly regardless of its initial state, with self-locking features and drill protection, ensuring secure operation without complex state determination.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element in the rotor that couples the electric drive to a coupling element for coupling the rotor to the output element or for locking the rotor against the stator, such that the coupling element is moved inside the rotor by the spring element when the drive is actuated as intended
Implementation Method 2
Components of the coupling element on the side of the axis of rotation furthest from the coupling projection (relative to the decoupled state) serve as a counterweight. Thus, in the decoupled state, the center of gravity of the coupling element lies approximately on the aforementioned plane through the axis of rotation or on the side of the axis of rotation furthest from the coupling projection. This has the advantage that, when the rotor rotates at high speed, the coupling element cannot be moved into the engaged position due to centrifugal force
Implementation Method 3
the aforementioned angle and the surface finish of the coupling projection and the coupling recess are preferably matched such that the structure is self-locking, i.e., that when a torque is applied, the radial component of the static friction between the coupling element and the driven element is approximately equal to or greater than the radial component of the normal force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 8~11a
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking device, comprising a rotor (4), which is rotatably supported in a stator (5). The rotor (4) can be coupled to an output element (8, 9) by an electronically controlled drive. The electronically controlled drive is arranged in the rotor (4), and when the rotor rotates, the electronically controlled drive rotates with the rotor. According to the approach of the invention, the locking device comprises a spring element (14) in the rotor, wherein said spring element couples the electrical drive to a coupling element (15) such that when the drive inside the rotor (4) is actuated as intended, the coupling element (15) is moved by the spring element (14), wherein said motion could be blocked by a corresponding counterforce against the spring force.