Trigger Locking Mechanism Using Resilient Wall and Ball Detents

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing triggers for pressure medium reservoirs, such as CO2 bottles, require high precision manufacturing and assembly, leading to costly production and low reliability.

Innovation Solution

A trigger design using a series of locking elements, including balls, where two balls are pushed out to release the lock, allowing the piercing bolt to pierce the closure section under tension spring force, with a resilient wall element ensuring reliable locking and low release force, enabling mass production with standard parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high precision manufacturing and assembly are used for triggers, then reliability is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger mechanism is segmented into modular components: a housing, a resilient wall element with integrated receiving bore, and standardized locking elements (balls). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliability through proven modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive, easily manufactured locking elements such as balls and resilient wall elements that can be produced through simple molding or machining processes. These components are designed to be replaceable and inexpensive, allowing the trigger mechanism to achieve high reliability through redundancy and ease of replacement rather than through expensive precision manufacturing of every component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If complex locking mechanisms are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidtrigger complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving bore is extracted from the housing and integrated into the resilient wall element itself. This extraction simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for separate receiving bore features in the housing and reduces the number of parts that need to be assembled, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining locking reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient wall element provides self-centering functionality for the locking balls through its elastic properties. When balls are inserted into the receiving bore, the resilient wall automatically centers them without requiring additional guiding features or adjustment mechanisms. This self-service characteristic reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for complex alignment and positioning systems

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

Simplifies production, reduces costs, and achieves high reliability by using standard parts and a resilient wall element to maintain locking even with increased spring tension, while allowing easy manual or electromagnetic release.

Implementation Method 1

the receiving bore is perforated opposite the release pin and bounded by a resilient wall member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a piercing bolt that can be tensioned with a tension spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP1731826B1Trigger for a pressured container
Publication Date: 2009.12.30 GRASL ANDREAS
  • EP1731826B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1731826B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1731826B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The trigger has a locking device provided with a mounting hole, in which balls (20-24) comprising a series of locking units are accommodated. The hole is arranged transverse to a groove in a tapping bolt (3), in which one of the balls is engaged in an operating position. A cross-hole is formed in the mounting hole, and a releasing bolt (33) is movable in the cross-hole. The mounting hole is broken at a point opposite to the cross-hole and limited by a flexible wall unit, such that the balls (22, 23) are pressed out from a position centered in the mounting hole in a resilient manner.