Shackle Lock Sleeve Mechanism for Secure Pin Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shackles lack user-friendly and safe mechanisms for securing the shackle pin to the shackle body, particularly in critical lifting operations where the pin must be connected above the load with an operator in close proximity, risking accidental disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A shackle lock system featuring a housing with a displaceable sleeve and locking bodies that engage with a peripheral groove on the shackle pin, allowing for passive locking and automatic engagement, optionally enhanced by springs or fluid pressure for secure retention, and featuring a peripheral locking groove on the shackle pin for additional safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional shackle pin is used with simple locking mechanisms (locking pin/nut), then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of preventing accidental disengagement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking body automatically engages with the locking groove when the shackle pin is inserted, and the sleeve automatically returns to the locking position through spring bias after insertion. The system performs the locking function without requiring active manual intervention beyond the initial insertion motion, thereby improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-biased to push the locking body into engagement with the locking groove before any disengagement attempt occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that the locking mechanism is always ready to secure the pin, preventing accidental disengagement without requiring complex active control systems.
2Ease of operation
If a passive locking mechanism with automatic engagement is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking body and sleeve are integrated into a single functional unit where the locking body is positioned within the sleeve. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the passive locking functionality, as the locking body and sleeve work together as a coordinated assembly rather than independent elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking body is nested within the sleeve structure, with the locking body positioned inside the cylindrical sleeve. This nesting arrangement allows the locking mechanism to be compact and integrated, reducing overall complexity while enabling the sleeve to guide and protect the locking body during operation.
3Reliability
If locking bodies are positioned to engage with peripheral locking grooves, then the reliability of locking is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the locking groove on the shackle pin, the locking body with engagement surface, and the guiding sleeve. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately with standardized tolerances, reducing the cumulative precision requirements compared to a fully integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical sleeve acts as an intermediary element that guides the locking body into proper alignment with the locking groove during insertion. This mediator component compensates for minor misalignments and ensures reliable engagement without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the locking groove and locking body interfaces.
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 system provides a safer and simpler method for securing the shackle pin, reducing the risk of accidental disengagement and enhancing operational safety by ensuring the pin remains locked without requiring active manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The shackle lock may comprise a spring arranged to keep the sleeve in the locking position.
Implementation Method 2
The shackle lock may be arranged to release the at least one locking body automatically when the shackle pin is being inserted into the shackle lock, in that the first end of the shackle pin comprises a cone arranged to force the at least one locking body outwards and thereby the sleeve backwards.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A shackle lock (300) for positioning on a shackle body (100), the shackle lock (300) comprising a housing (305', 305", 305"'), at least one locking body (310) and a sleeve (320, 320') which is displaceable in an axial direction of the housing (305', 305", 305'"). The housing (305', 305", 305'") is adapted for connection to the shackle body (100) and is arranged to house a first end (210, 210') of a shackle pin (200). The at least one locking body (310) is arranged to engage with a locking groove (230, 230') at the first end (210, 210') of the shackle pin (200). The sleeve (320, 320'), in a lock- ing position, is arranged to keep the at least one locking body (310) in the groove (230, 230'), and, in a releasing position, is arranged to release the at least one locking body (310) from the groove (230, 230'). A shackle (1) in which a shackle lock (300) is arranged on an outside of the first end (110) of the shackle body (100) is described as well.