Spring Return Device With Integral Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spring return devices require complex and time-consuming processes to reverse their direction, involving disassembly and reassembly to invert the spring, which poses safety risks and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A spring return device with an integral locking mechanism that allows the rotatable part to be locked in position, enabling safe disengagement and inversion without releasing stored mechanical energy, allowing for easy reversal of direction without disassembling the spring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the spring return device is inverted to reverse its direction, then the direction of operation is reversed, but the process requires disassembly and reassembly which is time-consuming and poses safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection reversal capabilityVSAvoidtime for disassembly and reassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is pre-configured to secure the spring in its strained state before any disassembly operations. This preliminary locking action prevents the spring from releasing its stored energy during the direction reversal process, eliminating safety risks and reducing the time required for disassembly and reassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the spring and the disassembly process. It mediates the energy management by securing the spring in a locked state, allowing safe disconnection of drive parts without requiring complete disassembly of the spring assembly, thereby reducing time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the spring return device is inverted to reverse its direction, then the direction of operation is reversed, but the process poses safety risks due to sudden energy release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection reversal capabilityVSAvoidsudden energy release hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is engaged in advance to secure the spring in its strained state before any inversion or disassembly operations. This preliminary action prevents the spring from suddenly releasing its stored mechanical energy, eliminating the safety hazard associated with unexpected energy release during direction reversal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism converts the potentially harmful sudden energy release into a controlled, secure state. By locking the spring in its strained position, the stored energy is held safely until the inversion is complete and the locking mechanism is re-engaged, transforming a hazard into a controlled process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the spring return device includes a locking mechanism to prevent sudden energy release, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during disengagementVSAvoidstructure of locking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate, modular component that can be independently designed and integrated into the spring return device. This extraction allows the locking function to be implemented with minimal additional complexity, as the locking mechanism operates independently from the spring and drive part components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-operating, requiring no external systems or complex control mechanisms. It provides automatic locking and unlocking functionality that secures the spring during disengagement without adding significant complexity to the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 simplifies the process of reversing the spring return device's direction, enhancing safety by preventing sudden energy release and reducing the need for extensive disassembly, thereby improving operational efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the clock-spring is wound up within the retaining band so that it stores mechanical energy and provides a torque on the rotatable shaft that acts to rotate the rotatable shaft in an opposite second direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical energy storage in spring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10267294B2Spring return device

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 KINETROL

AI summary

A spring return device comprising a rotatable drive coupling configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on a first side of the device and configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on an opposite second side of the device; a spring engaged with the drive coupling; and a retainer that retains the spring; wherein: rotation of the drive coupling in a first direction relative to the retainer causes mechanical energy to be stored in the spring; and the spring return device comprises an integral locking mechanism that is actuatable between a first state in which rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer is allowed and a second state in which rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer is prevented.