Sealed Locking Pin Latching Mechanism for Hygienic Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking bolts with externally arranged locking mechanisms are susceptible to contamination, which compromises hygiene standards and fails to meet the requirements of hygienic design, leading to potential contamination of products and increased risk of microbial growth.
Innovation Solution
The locking mechanism is integrated within the sealed interior of the actuating button, with the guide sleeve and locking sleeve forming a single, sealed unit, ensuring no parts protrude externally and are protected from contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking mechanism is arranged externally on the guide sleeve, then the locking function is accessible and operable, but the mechanism is susceptible to contamination and fails to meet hygiene standards
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is nested within the actuating button housing. The guide sleeve with locking protrusions is positioned inside the button, and the locking interaction occurs within the sealed interior space, protecting the mechanism from external contamination while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing element (membrane) closes the interior space of the actuating button, creating a barrier that prevents contaminants from reaching the locking mechanism while allowing the mechanism to operate internally.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the locking mechanism is sealed within the actuating button, then hygiene requirements are met and contamination is prevented, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sleeve is merged with the actuating button by extending it into the button's interior space. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while achieving the sealing and hygiene protection goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating button serves multiple functions: it houses the locking mechanism, provides sealing through its interior space, and maintains hygiene protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locking mechanism is arranged externally, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but cleaning effectiveness is compromised in hygiene-sensitive environments
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is extracted from the external environment and placed within the sealed interior of the actuating button. This extraction protects the mechanism from contamination and allows for effective cleaning of external surfaces without compromising the locking function.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Detent bolt with detent mechanism (8, 27, 28) comprising a guide sleeve (3) that can be fixed to a machine part and a bolt (2) connected to an actuating button (6), which extends through a central bore (14) in the actuating button (6) and which is axially displaceable and lockable in a through-bore of the guide sleeve (3) by means of the force of a compression spring (7) by actuating the actuating button (6), wherein the bolt (2) can be brought into at least two detent positions in the guide sleeve (3) by means of the detent mechanism (8, 27, 28) arranged in the central bore (14), wherein the detent mechanism (8, 16, 27, 28) is arranged in a sealed manner in the central bore (14) of the actuating button (6) in the region of a second axial guide sleeve (12) that is coaxial with and connected to the first guide sleeve (3) and consists of a detent sleeve fixedly connected to the actuating button (8) consistswhose sleeve base (15) forms a detent contour (28) in conjunction with a detent recess (27) arranged in the area of the second guide sleeve (12).