Safety Door Locking Module With Rolling Bolt Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective door monitoring modules experience material wear and reduced service life due to repeated closing and opening processes, leading to potential safety risks as the locking function may no longer guarantee secure operation.

Innovation Solution

The protective door monitoring module incorporates a locking device with a rotatably mounted bearing body that rolls on the actuator, reducing friction and wear, and allows for independent replacement of the bearing body, thereby extending the module's service life and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking device uses a conventional bolt that slides on the actuator, then the structure is simple, but material wear increases and service life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidlocking device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A bearing body is introduced as an intermediary element between the bolt and the actuator. The bearing body rotates on the actuator surface, mediating the interaction and converting sliding friction into rolling friction. This reduces wear on both the bolt and actuator while maintaining the locking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional sliding mechanical contact between bolt and actuator is replaced with a rotating bearing body. This substitution changes the friction mechanism from sliding to rolling, significantly reducing material wear and extending service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of repair

If the bearing body is integrated into the bolt, then the structure is compact, but replacement cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing body replacementVSAvoidlocking device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is segmented into separable components: the bolt, the bearing body, and the actuator. The bearing body is made as an independent replaceable component that can be exchanged without replacing the entire bolt or locking device, facilitating easier and more cost-effective maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing body is designed to be rotatably mounted on the actuator, allowing it to dynamically rotate during operation. This dynamic capability enables the bearing body to be independently accessed and replaced while maintaining the functional integrity of the locking device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design minimizes wear and enhances the reliability of the locking mechanism, ensuring consistent operation and safety by reducing friction and allowing for cost-effective maintenance through replaceable components.

Implementation Method 1

a bearing body which is rotatably mounted in the bearing body receptacle and which is arranged on a free end of the bolt and is designed to roll on the actuator in the activated state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4425035A1Protective door monitoring module
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 PILZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4425035A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4425035A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4425035A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Safety door monitoring module (16) for monitoring the state of a safety door (14), wherein the safety door monitoring module (16) has an actuator receptacle (38) for receiving an actuator (36) and is configured to generate a safety door signal when the actuator (36) is inserted into the actuator receptacle (38), wherein the actuator receptacle (38) has a locking device (44) configured to hold the actuator (36) in the actuator receptacle (38) in an activated state, wherein the locking device (44) has a bolt (50) with a bearing body receptacle (58) and a bearing body (54) rotatably mounted in the bearing body receptacle (58), which is arranged at a free end (62) of the bolt (50), which is configured to engage the actuator (36) in the activated state.