Self-Unlocking Gear Lock for Spring Return Actuating Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actuating drives with return springs often suffer from damage due to forced movements in the return direction, necessitating elaborate repair measures, especially when locking elements engage with toothed wheel elements, leading to potential damage and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A transmission element with a locking element featuring a safety element that is elastically deformable, allowing the locking of toothed wheel elements to be released at a torque greater than a safety torque limit, thereby preventing damage and enabling a compact, cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking element is integrated into the transmission element to block movement of the spring return, then the transmission element can be securely locked in position, but damage may occur to the toothed wheel element or locking element in the event of forced movement against the drive direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the locking element with an elastically deformable portion that can yield under excessive torque. This elastic deformation acts as a cushion that absorbs the harmful effects of forced movements before they can cause damage to the toothed wheel element or other critical components. The elastic portion is specifically designed to deform at controlled torque levels, preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining normal locking functionality during regular operation.
2Reliability
If a locking element with rigid locking engagement is used to prevent rotation of the toothed wheel element, then secure blocking is achieved, but elaborate repair measures are necessary in case of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by designing the locking element with a sacrificial elastic portion that can deform and potentially fail at controlled points. This elastic portion is designed to be replaceable and less critical than the main toothed wheel element. In case of damage from forced movements, only the elastic portion of the locking element needs to be replaced rather than the entire transmission element, significantly reducing repair complexity and costs.
3Reliability
If additional safety devices are added to prevent damage during forced movements, then safety is improved, but device complexity and structural space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the safety function directly into the locking element itself through the elastically deformable portion. Instead of adding separate safety devices such as external overload reliefs or protective mechanisms, the safety functionality is merged into the existing locking element structure. This eliminates the need for additional components while maintaining comprehensive safety against forced movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both the locking function and the overload protection function into a single component. The elastic portion of the locking element serves dual purposes: providing secure locking engagement during normal operation and yielding under excessive torque to prevent damage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate safety devices and reduces overall device complexity.
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 enhances safety by preventing damage to the transmission element and actuating drive during forced movements, while maintaining the return functionality, reducing the need for additional safety devices and minimizing structural space, thus improving operational reliability and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the locking element (20) has a safety element (40) which is mechanically operatively connected to the locking section (30) and is at least partially elastically deformable in order to release the locking of the at least one toothed wheel element (11) by means of an elastic deformation of the safety element (40) at a torque of the at least one toothed wheel element (11) in the return direction (6) which is greater than a safety torque limit
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a transmission element for a spring return of an actuating drive comprising: a toothed wheel element with teeth at least in sections; and a locking element including a locking section for locking engagement in the teeth of the toothed wheel element to prevent a rotation of the toothed wheel element in a return direction. The locking element includes a safety element mechanically operatively connected to the locking section and elastically deformable in order to release the locking of the toothed wheel element by elastic deformation of the safety element at a torque of the toothed wheel element in the return direction greater than a safety torque limit.