Weight-Triggered Rotating Lock for Reliable Component Securing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available locking pins lack reliability in securing components together, particularly in critical applications where secure fastening is essential, such as in transporting sensitive equipment like satellites or missiles, due to their limited locking surface and requiring operator attention for proper installation.
Innovation Solution
A weight-triggered locking feature that includes a housing with a spring-loaded plunger and rotating lock, where the plunger extends outside the housing to prevent rotation initially, and upon being pushed inward due to weight, automatically rotates the lock to secure components together, eliminating the need for operator intervention during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical ball-lock pin is used to secure components, then the locking pin can be installed, but it provides inadequate reliability with limited locking surface and requires close operator attention
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin automatically rotates into the locked position when the plunger is depressed by the weight of the component, eliminating the need for operator intervention. The system serves itself by using the component's weight to trigger the locking mechanism, ensuring reliable engagement without requiring operator attention or manual rotation of the locking element.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger is pre-positioned to extend from the housing, preventing accidental rotation before proper installation. Once the component is placed on the support structure, the plunger is automatically depressed by the component's weight, which preliminarily aligns and then rotates the locking element into the secure position, ensuring proper locking action occurs in the correct sequence.
2Strength
If a ball-lock pin with 0.375 inch diameter is used, then it can secure components, but it provides only about 0.065 inches of locking surface
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static ball-lock pin to a dynamic system where the plunger can move between extended and depressed positions. This dynamic movement allows the locking surface area to be increased effectively, as the rotational motion enables greater engagement between the locking element and the component, providing enhanced strength without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Extent of automation
If the plunger extends outside the housing, then it prevents rotation of the locking mechanism, but it requires manual intervention to activate locking
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves automatic locking by using the component's own weight to depress the plunger and trigger the locking mechanism. The component essentially activates the locking system itself during the installation process, eliminating the need for separate manual activation steps and achieving full automation of the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded plunger uses spring force to counterbalance and then yield to the weight of the component. The spring provides a counteracting force that keeps the plunger extended during installation, preventing accidental locking, but yields when the component's weight exceeds the spring force, automatically triggering the locking mechanism without manual intervention.
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 solution provides reliable and error-proof component securing, ensuring components are locked in place without manual operation, enhancing security and reducing the risk of misinstallation, and can be easily adapted for various applications by integrating the locking feature into components or using it with multiple components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded plunger within the housing and a spring-loaded rotating lock extending from the housing
Implementation Method 2
weight-triggered locking feature
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing, a spring-loaded plunger within the housing, and a spring-loaded rotating lock extending from the housing. The spring-loaded plunger includes a slot and an end portion. The end portion is configured to extend outside the housing and to be moved inward at least partially into the housing. The spring-loaded rotating lock includes a shaft, a locking pin positioned on the shaft, and a disc positioned on the shaft and having a recess. At least part of the spring-loaded plunger fits within the recess of the disc and is configured to contact the disc, and at least part of the disc fits within the slot.