Spring-Loaded Entrainer for Emergency Unlocking Drive Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive units for movable leaves, such as windows or doors, are complex and difficult to handle during emergency unlocking, as they require multiple components and sluggish displacement during non-destructive unlocking processes.
Innovation Solution
A compact drive unit with a pretensioned entrainer by a spring into an engagement position, allowing for easy emergency unlocking by overcoming the spring's pre-tensioning force, featuring a spindle drive mechanism and a tool-actuated angular head portion for simplified operation, and a method where a tool moves the entrainer against the spring force to displace the drive rod for unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex multi-component locking mechanism is used, then the locking function is reliable, but the device complexity increases and emergency unlocking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking components into a single integrated entrainer element that can be actuated by a single tool. The entrainer integrates the coupling element, guide groove engagement, and locking mechanism into one compact component, reducing the overall number of parts while maintaining reliable locking function through its multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The entrainer serves multiple functions: it acts as a coupling element between the drive rod and locking mechanism, provides guide groove engagement for positioning, and serves as the primary actuation point for both normal operation and emergency unlocking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-destructive emergency unlocking mechanism is implemented, then the leaf remains intact, but the displacement becomes sluggish and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded to continuously pretension the entrainer into the engagement position during normal operation. This preliminary positioning ensures that during emergency unlocking, the tool only needs to overcome the spring force to move the entrainer, rather than moving it from a neutral position, thereby simplifying the unlocking action and improving handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element that stores energy and provides a controlled resistance during the unlocking process. By using the spring's pre-tensioning force, the system enables easy manual actuation of the entrainer during emergency unlocking while maintaining the integrity of the locking mechanism and movable leaf.
3Ease of operation
If the entrainer is pretensioned by a spring into engagement position, then emergency unlocking becomes easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded entrainer system is self-actuating during normal operation, where the spring automatically maintains the entrainer in the engagement position without requiring external actuation. This self-service mechanism simplifies the normal locking operation and reduces the need for additional actuators, offsetting the complexity added by the spring itself.
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 operational reliability and simplifies handling during emergency unlocking by reducing the force required, making the mechanism more compact and efficient, ensuring rapid unlocking even when power supply is interrupted.
Implementation Method 1
the entrainer (10) in engagement with a movable drive element (9) is pretensioned by a spring (15) into an engagement position with respect to the drive element (9)
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive unit (1) for a movable leaf, in particular a window, having a drive (8) which drives a linearly movable drive element (9) which is in engagement with an entrainer (10) which, upon movement, drives a drive rod (14) of a fitting with at least one bolt (13) for locking and unlocking the movable leaf, wherein the entrainer (10) is pretensioned by a spring (15) into an engagement position with respect to the drive element (9) and, for emergency unlocking, can be moved into an unlocking position against the force of the spring (15). Furthermore, the invention relates to a window or a door and to a method for unlocking a drive on a movable leaf.