Safety Switch Tumbler Locking That Decouples Bolt and Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety switches and circuit arrangements face challenges in achieving a compact, energy-efficient, and flexible guard locking mechanism that decouples the locking bolt from its drive, limiting their design and operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A safety switch design featuring a movably mounted locking bolt and bulkhead with a positive fit, where the bulkhead absorbs forces acting on the bolt, allowing the drive to be decoupled from these forces, enabling a smaller, more compact, and flexible design with a simple and energy-saving locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the locking bolt is kinematically coupled to the drive, then the locking mechanism is simple, but forces acting on the bolt are transmitted to the drive, increasing energy consumption and limiting design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent parts: the locking bolt and the drive. The bolt can be positioned by any means (gravity, spring, manual insertion) without being kinematically coupled to the drive, which only performs the locking action. This segmentation allows the drive to be small and energy-efficient while the bolt handles the force-bearing function.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier element acts as an intermediary between the drive and the locking bolt. The drive moves the barrier, which in turn blocks the locking bolt in its locked position. This intermediary decouples the force transmission, allowing the drive to operate with minimal energy while the bolt remains securely locked.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the locking bolt is decoupled from the drive, then energy consumption is reduced and design flexibility increases, but the device size may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it is actuated by the drive, it blocks the locking bolt to maintain the locked state, and it provides a compact structural link between the drive and bolt. This merging of functions allows the decoupled design to remain compact without increasing overall device volume.
3Reliability
If additional locking units are used to secure the blocking element, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier element is designed to be self-securing through its interaction with the locking bolt and drive. When the drive positions the barrier, the geometry of the components themselves provides the securing action, eliminating the need for additional locking units. The system uses its own components to maintain the locked state.
Data Source
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AI summary
The safety switch (10) has a movable locking bolt (30) configured to lock an actuator (12) in a defined locking position relative to the safety switch (10), and a movable locking bulkhead (60) that is movable between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the locking bulkhead (60) is configured to secure the movable locking bolt (30) by means of a positive locking action.