Centralized Unlocking Device Cam Spring Return Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing centralized unlocking operation devices, the spring force does not act on the operating arms, making it difficult to confirm if the operating arms have returned to their original positions after a pivoting operation, as the rotor returns to the neutral position without ensuring the arms' return, leading to potential misalignment and rattling.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a cam part on the rotor with pressing faces that interact with pressure-receiving parts on the operating arms, and a spring that urges the arms to return to their original positions, with restricting parts on the cylinder body ensuring alignment and easy confirmation of arm return, while also housing the spring within the cylindrical parts to prevent water and dust ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the spring force acts only on the rotor and not on the operating arms, then the rotor can return to the neutral position, but the operating arms may remain at the operating position and it becomes impossible to confirm from the outside that the arms have returned to the original position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereturn position confirmationVSAvoidspring application structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the spring force application to simultaneously act on both the rotor and the operating arms through a shared cam mechanism. The cam profile is designed to convert the spring force into coordinated movement that ensures both the rotor and operating arms return to their neutral positions together, making the return position externally confirmable while maintaining a relatively simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary between the spring and the operating arms. The cam converts the spring force into mechanical action that directly pushes the operating arms to their neutral positions, ensuring reliable return confirmation without requiring complex direct spring-to-arm connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cam part has pressing faces that avoid abutment with pressure-receiving parts during pivoting, then the spring force can act on the operating arms, but the cam part shape becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating arm return assuranceVSAvoidcam part geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The cam part is designed with different local features: pressing faces in certain regions that avoid abutment to allow spring force transmission, and other regions with different geometries to provide the necessary mechanical advantage and movement control. This localized differentiation allows the cam to perform multiple functions while managing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This design allows for easy confirmation of the operating arms' return to their original positions by ensuring the spring force acts on the arms during return, preventing misalignment and improving durability by protecting the spring from environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

a spring that urges the rotor toward the neutral position side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a cam part provided on the rotor so as to have a shape that avoids abutment against the second pressure-receiving part when the rotor is pivoted from the neutral position to the first operating position side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP2657438B1Centralized unlocking operation device
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 HONDA LOCK MFG CO LTD
  • EP2657438B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2657438B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2657438B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A centralized unlocking operation device is provided in which a first operating arm pivots in response to a rotor being pivoted from a neutral position in a forward direction, and a second operating arm pivots in response to the rotor being pivoted from the neutral position in a reverse direction, wherein a first pressing face (38) that abuts against and imposes a pressing force on a first pressure-receiving part (35) of the first operating arm (33) when the rotor (15) is pivoted from the neutral position to the first operating position side and a second pressing face (39) that abuts against and imposes a pressing force on a second pressure-receiving part (36) of the second operating arm (34) when the rotor (15) is pivoted from the neutral position to the second operating position side are formed on a cam part (37) provided on the rotor (15), and the spring (32) is provided between the first and second operating arms (33, 34) so as to urge the first and second operating arms (33, 34) in a direction in which the first and second pressure-receiving parts (35, 36) abut against the first and second pressing faces (38, 39). This enables confirmation of whether or not two operating arms have returned to their original positions after a pivoting operation to be easily carried out from the outside.