US20010013742A1 - Automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device - Google Patents
Automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010013742A1 US20010013742A1 US09/767,748 US76774801A US2001013742A1 US 20010013742 A1 US20010013742 A1 US 20010013742A1 US 76774801 A US76774801 A US 76774801A US 2001013742 A1 US2001013742 A1 US 2001013742A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- movable module
- lock
- bottom wall
- spring
- locking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
- H05K7/1401—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack comprising clamping or extracting means
- H05K7/1411—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack comprising clamping or extracting means for securing or extracting box-type drawers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10T292/08—Bolts
- Y10T292/096—Sliding
- Y10T292/1014—Operating means
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10T292/08—Bolts
- Y10T292/1043—Swinging
- Y10T292/1075—Operating means
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
- Y10T403/59—Manually releaseable latch type
- Y10T403/591—Manually releaseable latch type having operating mechanism
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to an automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device and more particularly to an automatic locking apparatus that employs the gravitational weight of the device itself as the action force for locking or releasing the movable module in the device.
- In many devices such as a scanner and other similar optical devices, there is usually a movable module for performing scanning, image recognition or other optical and sensing function. These movable modules are usually driven reciprocally within a selected displacement by a particular transmission means such as a belt, a gear rack and the like when in use. When not in use, the movable module is usually set to return to an initial position.
- However, due to some reasons such as driving power limitation, weight of the movable module or design deficiency of the transmission means, the movable module might not always have an automatic locking design. In the case that the device does not include an automatic locking device for anchoring the movable module while not in usage, the device might have a substantial high possibility, while moving the device, that the movable module might slip away from its initial position and hit other components in the device. It is obvious that any collision happens to the movable device might lead to some damages, and such damages are definitely unwelcome.
- In order to prevent aforesaid problem, there are prior arts to use manual locking means to anchor the movable module at a fixed selected location in the device. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,769,515 and 5,973,866 are two of these efforts.
- Generally, aforesaid prior arts may be well used for a planned movement of the device. However, there are unplanned occasions that the device will be moved incidentally and a non-lock setting might be met due to people's negligence. Under such abnormal situations, the movable module may remain at a unlocking or free-to-slip position, and could result in damage of the device.
- It is an object of this invention to provide an automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device that utilizes the location and the gravitational weight of the device to trigger a control means for locking or releasing the movable module.
- It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic locking apparatus that will automatically lock a movable module at an initial position when the device is moved away from a resting place and will automatically unlock the movable module when the device is placed on a working location.
- In one aspect of the present invention, the device has a bottom wall for resting on a support plane, and the movable module is movable inside the device. The automatic locking apparatus includes an input unit, a transfer unit and an output unit.
- The input unit is located on the bottom wall for detecting if the device is posed at a normal state (i.e. resting on the support plane) or an abnormal state (i.e. not being positioned on the support plane).
- The transfer unit is located in the device to receive input from the input unit and to trigger an output action.
- The output unit is actuated by the transfer unit to lock or release the movable module according to a preset condition. Generally, the movable module will be released under a normal state and locked under an abnormal state.
- In one embodiment of this invention, the input unit is a sensor located under the bottom wall. The transfer unit is an electric controller. The output unit is an actuator (such as a solenoid) which has a pin movable to lock or release the movable module. The sensor may have a probe pin to trigger the pin to perform locking or releasing action. This embodiment may include an independent power supply for the apparatus to function normally even when the external power supply is absent.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, the transfer unit may include a slide bar and a spring mounted in the bottom wall. The slide bar has a lower end for serving as an input unit passing through the bottom wall to contact the support plane and a lock stub at an upper end for serving as an output unit for locking or releasing the movable module. The spring will trigger the movement of the slide bar for locking or releasing action under an abnormal or a normal condition. The slide bar thereof has a lower limit hook and an upper limit shoulder for limiting the movement of the slide bar within a selected displacement range.
- In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the input unit may include an input bar passing through the bottom wall and engaged with a spring held in the bottom wall. The output unit may include an output bar having a free end to form a locking hook. The transfer unit may include a pivotal means to couple the input bar and the output bar, and a lever means for triggering the output bar to lock the movable module under abnormal conditions, or to release the movable module under normal conditions.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the locking hook may be replaced by a magnet to mate and attract another magnet located in the movable module under a locking state.
- The invention, as well as its many advantages, may be further understood by the following detailed description and drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram for operation principle of this invention;
- FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a first embodiment of this invention;
- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a second embodiment of this invention;
- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a third embodiment of this invention; and
- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a fourth embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 1 shows the operation principle of this invention. An
input unit 100 is provided to receive device's positional conditions as well as the resting states, and to generate a respective state signal provided to atransfer unit 200 which can then thereby produce a response signal for triggering anoutput unit 300 to perform an action desired. In the present invention, there are two different types of action: - 1. When the device is placed upon a support plane with a normal condition, then the movable module can be operational and movable as a normal state.
- 2. Under any condition other than the aforesaid state, the movable module will be locked and engaged with the device at a selected position.
- The apparatus of this invention may be an electromechanical or mechanical type. The
input device 100 may be a sensor, a touch switch, a mechanical displacement element or other signal generators that may produce signals based on displacement change of an electronic, an electrical or a mechanical means. The output unit may be a device for engaging the movable module with the device body such as a latch-pin combination, a key and key way combination, an electromagnetic device and the like. - The
transfer unit 200 receives input signal and generates a response signal or action to actuate the output unit. It may include an electric circuit, a mechanical mechanism and the like. - FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of this invention. A device has a
bottom wall 13 and a plurality of legs 11 (yet, only one being shown in the figure) resting on asupport plane 10. Above thebottom wall 13, there is aflange 12 to hold amovable module 2 thereon. Theflange 12 has a throughhole 121 mating against alocking bore 21 formed in a lower portion of themovable module 2. The input unit 100 (as shown in FIG. 1) includes asensor 30 mounted under thebottom wall 13. Thesensor 30 has aprobe pin 301 which may be pressed by thesupport plane 10 and may be withdrawn into thesensor 30 under a normal condition (shown by a solid line as labeled 301 in FIG. 2). Thesensor 30 is wired to anelectric controller 31 which serves as the transfer unit 200 (as shown in FIG. 1). The output unit 300 (as shown in FIG. 1) can be embodied as anactuator 32 such as a solenoid, for example, located in thedevice 1. Theactuator 32 is wired to theelectric controller 31 and has amovable lock pin 321. - Under the normal condition, the device is properly rested on the
support plane 10 and can then precede normal operation. At this state, theprobe pin 301 is pressed and withdrawn inside thesensor 30. A signal will be generated to theelectric controller 31 that in turn generates a response signal to theactuator 32 for withdrawing the lock pin 321 (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 2). Themovable module 2 is unlocked and free to move inside the device to perform as desired. In the case that the device is right at being moved away from thesupport plane 10, theprobe pin 301 will simultaneously extend out of thesensor 30 and generate another signal to theelectric controller 31 which in turn produces a different response signal to theactuator 32 to force thelock pin 321 outward through thehole 121 and into the locking bore 21 (indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2). Then, themovable module 2 will be locked at a desired location inside the device. - In the present invention, the
lock pin 321 and locking bore 21 may be shaped as a mating circle pair as described in the embodiment or other mating geometrical shapes desired. - The
flange 12 together with thelock pin 321 aims at providing sufficient strength against possible movement of themovable module 2. However, theflange 12 may be omitted if desired. Then, the top surface of theactuator 32 will serve to provide the same purpose. - The
sensor 30,controller 31 andactuator 32 may be powered by an independent battery power supply other than the external power supply which might also be used to drive thedevice 1. This arrangement can make this apparatus operational and effective even when the device is cut off from the external power during moving or transportation. - FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of this invention. The
bottom wall 13 of thedevice 1 has acavity 14 in which aslide bar 40 can be housed. Theslide bar 40 has afoot 402 at one end extending outside thebottom wall 13 to serve as the input unit for making contact with thesupport plane 10. Another end of theslide bar 40 is formed as ahook stub 405 extending into thedevice 1 to serve as the output unit of the present invention. Theslide bar 40 in thecavity 14 has atrough 401 for holding at least onespring 41 therein. Theslide bar 40 further has a low limit hooks 403 and ahigh limit shoulder 404 for setting respectively the lowest and the highest dead ends of the slide bar motion. Themovable module 2 has a locking bore 21 engageable with thelock stub 405. The transfer unit of the present invention is formed by thecavity 14, theslide bar 40 and thespring 41. - While in use under a normal condition, the
device 1 is rested upon thesupport plane 10. Thefoot 402 is pressed upward and compresses thespring 41 to store spring energy. Theslide bar 40 is pushed upward and moves thelock stub 405 out of the locking bore 21. Themovable module 2 is thus free to move and operation. When thedevice 1 is moved away from thesupport plane 10, thecompressed spring 41 releases the stored energy and pushes theslide bar 41 as well as thefoot 402 downward (indicated by broken lines in FIG. 3). Thelock stub 405 engages with the locking bore 21 and locks themovable module 2 at a fixed location as desired. This embodiment as shown is obviously one of mechanical embodiments that can operate normally without any electric power. - FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of this invention. The
device 1 has abottom wall 13 in which anopening 15 is provided. There is aninput bar 50 running through theopening 15. In theopening 15, there is acompression spring 51 which has a high end engaged with thebottom wall 13 and a low end engaged with theinput bar 50 to push the bottom end of theinput bar 50 resting on the supportingplane 10. - Of course, on the other hand, the
spring 51 can be embodied as a tension spring to pull theinput bar 50 downward through thebottom wall 13. In such a case, thespring 51 has its high end to engage with theinput bar 50 and has its low end to engage with thebottom wall 13. - As shown in FIG. 4, the top end of the
input bar 50 is extended into thedevice 1 and is pivotally engaged with one end of anoutput bar 52. Theoutput bar 52 is formed like a lever and has a slot in the middle pivotally engaged with a fulcrum 17. Another end of theoutput bar 52 can be bent into a hook shape engageable with a lockingedge 22 formed on amovable module 2. - In the present embodiment, the
input bar 50 and thespring 51 become the input unit. Theoutput bar 52 is the output unit. The pivotal engagement between theinput bar 50 andoutput bar 52, and the pivotal and slideable engagement between the slot in theoutput bar 52 and the fulcrum 17 form the transfer unit of the present invention. - While in use under a normal condition, the
device 1 is rested upon thesupport plane 10. Theinput bar 50 will be pushed upward to move theoutput bar 52 downward for the hook as shown to disengage with the locking edge 22 (shown by solid lines in FIG. 4). Then, themovable module 2 is unlocked and movable for any normal operation. While thedevice 1 is removed from thesupport plane 10, thespring 51 will push (or pull) theinput bar 51 downward. Theoutput bar 52 will be moved upward to make the hook engaged with the lockingedge 22. Then, themovable module 2 is at a locked position shown by broken lines in FIG. 4. - FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of this invention. It is largely constructed like the one shown in FIG. 4. However, instead of a hook on the
output bar 52 and a lockingedge 22 on themovable module 2, afirst magnet 521 is attached to theoutput bar 52 for attracting a matingsecond magnet 23 located on themovable module 2 during the locked condition. - The
spring 51 used in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may be a compression spring, a tensile spring or a torsion spring. - By means of this invention, the device weight and position may trigger an action to lock the movable module to a fixed location. The device thus may be moved or transported without the risk of damaging the movable module or device.
- It may thus be seen that the objects of the present invention set forth herein, as well as those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiment of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (22)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TW89202267 | 2000-02-10 | ||
TW089202267U TW461658U (en) | 2000-02-10 | 2000-02-10 | Automatic locking device of movable module in a machine |
TW89202267U | 2000-02-10 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010013742A1 true US20010013742A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
US6450727B2 US6450727B2 (en) | 2002-09-17 |
Family
ID=21664078
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/767,748 Expired - Fee Related US6450727B2 (en) | 2000-02-10 | 2001-01-24 | Automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6450727B2 (en) |
TW (1) | TW461658U (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7124989B1 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2006-10-24 | Ktv Usa, Inc. | Latch system for video monitor |
US20080068787A1 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2008-03-20 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Data processing apparatus and removal recording media |
US20120187128A1 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2012-07-26 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Self-aligning modular latch |
JP2015056497A (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-23 | 富士通株式会社 | Insertion/ejection unit and housing device of the same |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2001197259A (en) * | 2000-01-13 | 2001-07-19 | Fuji Photo Optical Co Ltd | Carriage fixing structure for image reader |
TW531693B (en) * | 2001-04-04 | 2003-05-11 | Wistron Corp | Pulling device for a computer module |
TW543320B (en) * | 2001-12-27 | 2003-07-21 | Veutron Corp | Moveable locking device for scanner and the locking method |
JP2003228445A (en) * | 2002-02-04 | 2003-08-15 | Sony Corp | Personal digital assistant, and lock control system |
US7068401B2 (en) * | 2002-05-31 | 2006-06-27 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Optical scanning apparatus having a carriage locking device |
US6842667B2 (en) * | 2003-05-05 | 2005-01-11 | Hunter Industries, Inc. | Positive station module locking mechanism for expandable irrigation controller |
SE525402C2 (en) * | 2003-06-19 | 2005-02-15 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | Device and method for holding a source of radiation |
US10917979B1 (en) | 2019-09-11 | 2021-02-09 | Hunter Industries, Inc. | Control box |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5769515A (en) * | 1996-12-16 | 1998-06-23 | Umax Data Systems, Inc. | Optical scanners with an improved chassis locking means |
US6065896A (en) * | 1998-03-18 | 2000-05-23 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Lever device with support and latch |
US5973866A (en) * | 1998-09-22 | 1999-10-26 | Mustek System Inc. | Locking device for locking a scanning module in a scanner |
US6394687B1 (en) * | 1999-06-29 | 2002-05-28 | Mitac International Corp. | Rotating shaft unit with two shaft sections which can be located selectively at a relative angular position |
-
2000
- 2000-02-10 TW TW089202267U patent/TW461658U/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2001
- 2001-01-24 US US09/767,748 patent/US6450727B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7124989B1 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2006-10-24 | Ktv Usa, Inc. | Latch system for video monitor |
US20080068787A1 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2008-03-20 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Data processing apparatus and removal recording media |
US7855346B2 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2010-12-21 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Data processing apparatus and removal recording media |
US20120187128A1 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2012-07-26 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Self-aligning modular latch |
US9243427B2 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2016-01-26 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Self-aligning modular latch |
US20160102481A1 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2016-04-14 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Self-aligning modular latch |
US10435918B2 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2019-10-08 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Self-aligning modular latch |
US20200032555A1 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2020-01-30 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Self-aligning modular latch |
US11466476B2 (en) * | 2011-01-24 | 2022-10-11 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Self-aligning modular latch |
US11821239B2 (en) | 2011-01-24 | 2023-11-21 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Self-aligning modular latch |
JP2015056497A (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-23 | 富士通株式会社 | Insertion/ejection unit and housing device of the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TW461658U (en) | 2001-10-21 |
US6450727B2 (en) | 2002-09-17 |
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Owner name: ACER COMMUNICATIONS & MULTIMEDIA INC., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LU, JIH-YUNG;REEL/FRAME:011491/0431 Effective date: 20010119 |
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Effective date: 20140917 |