U.S. patent application number 09/767748 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-16 for automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Acer Communications & Multimedia Inc.. Invention is credited to Lu, Jih-Yung.
Application Number | 20010013742 09/767748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21664078 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010013742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lu, Jih-Yung |
August 16, 2001 |
Automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device
Abstract
An automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device
uses device's weight and position to lock the movable module. It
includes an input unit located on a bottom wall of the device to
detect if the device is positioned on a support plane under a
normal state, a transfer unit for receiving input from the input
unit to generate a response, and an output unit for receiving the
response to actuate a lock or unlock action on the movable module.
When the input unit detects the device being properly positioned on
the support plane, the transfer unit will be triggered to make the
output unit disengaged with the movable module for normal
operation. When the input unit detects the device being removed
from the support plane at an abnormal state, the transfer unit will
be triggered to make the output unit locking the movable module
inside the device at a selected location.
Inventors: |
Lu, Jih-Yung; (SanChung
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOUGHERTY & TROXELL
SUITE 1404
5205 LEESBURG PIKE
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22041
US
|
Assignee: |
Acer Communications &
Multimedia Inc.
|
Family ID: |
21664078 |
Appl. No.: |
09/767748 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/223.2 ;
292/138; 292/195; 359/896; 361/726 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 403/591 20150115;
Y10T 292/1075 20150401; Y10T 292/1014 20150401; H05K 7/1411
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/223.2 ;
359/896; 292/138; 292/195; 361/726 |
International
Class: |
H05K 007/00; E05C
001/00; E05C 003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 10, 2000 |
TW |
89202267 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic locking apparatus for a movable module in a device
which has a bottom wall resting on a support plane under a normal
state of the device, comprising: an input unit, located on the
bottom wall for detecting if the device being positioned normally;
a transfer unit, located in the device for linking with the input
unit for generating a response based upon position states of the
device detected by the input unit; and an output unit, located in
the device for linking with the transfer unit for receiving the
response to perform a selected action upon the movable module;
wherein the transfer unit triggers the output unit to release the
movable module for moving inside the device as desired when the
input unit detects device position is at the normal state; the
transfer unit triggers the output unit to lock the movable module
at a selected position when the input unit detects the position of
the device is at an abnormal state.
2. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input
unit includes a sensor located below the bottom wall, the transfer
unit includes an electric controller, and the output unit includes
an actuator which has a lock pin for locking the movable module to
the selected position when the sensor detects the device being
positioned at the abnormal state.
3. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 2, wherein the device
has a flange located between the actuator and the movable module,
and the flange has a through hole for the lock pin to pass
through.
4. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 2, wherein the
apparatus is powered by an independent power supply.
5. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensor
has a probe pin to detect if the device being positioned on the
support plane.
6. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom
wall has a cavity to hold a spring and a slide bar as the transfer
unit, the slide bar has a bottom end extending out of the bottom
wall as the input unit and a top end formed in a lock stub manner
as the output unit engageable with a locking member located in the
movable module, the lock stub disengages with the locking member at
the normal state in which the bottom end rests on the support plane
and the spring is compressed to store spring energy, and the lock
stub engages with the locking member to lock the movable module at
the selected position at the abnormal state in which the bottom end
is moved away from the support plane and the spring releases the
stored energy.
7. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lock
stub is formed in a hook and the locking member is a locking
bore.
8. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 6, wherein the slide
bar has a low limit hook and a high limit shoulder for respectively
forming a lowest dead end and a highest dead end of the slide bar
movement against the bottom wall.
9. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input
unit includes an input bar and a spring held in an opening formed
in the bottom wall, the spring has one end engaged with the input
bar and another end engaged with the bottom wall, the output unit
includes an output bar which has one end formed a lock member and
another end pivotally engaged with a top end of the input bar to
form a portion of the transfer unit, the output bar has a sliding
slot pivotally engaged with a fulcrum to form another portion of
the transfer unit, the movable module has a locking element
disengaged with the lock member when the device is positioned on
the supporting plane which presses a bottom end of the input bar to
move away the lock member from the locking element so that the
movable module is operationable under the normal state and the
spring is storing spring energy, and the spring will release the
store energy to move the bottom end outward from the bottom wall
when the device is moved away from the support plane so that the
lock member will engage with the locking element to lock the
movable module at the selected position in the device to form the
abnormal state.
10. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lock
member is a hook and the locking element is a locking edge.
11. The automatic locking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lock
member is a first magnet and the locking element is a second magnet
attractive to the first magnet.
12. A device having an automatic locking apparatus for a movable
module located in the device which has a bottom wall resting on a
support plane under a normal state of the device, comprising: an
input unit, located on the bottom wall for detecting if the device
being positioned normally; a transfer unit, located in the device
for linking with the input unit and generating a response based on
position states of the device detected by the input unit; and an
output unit, located in the device for linking with the transfer
unit for receiving the response to perform a selected action on the
movable module; wherein the transfer unit triggers the output unit
to release the movable module for moving in the device as desired
when input unit detects a position of the device is at the normal
state, and the transfer unit triggers the output unit to lock the
movable module at a selected position when the input unit detects
the position of the device is at an abnormal state.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the input unit includes a
sensor located below the bottom wall, the transfer unit includes an
electric controller, and the output unit includes an actuator
having a lock pin to lock the movable module to the selected
position when the sensor detects the device being positioned at the
abnormal state.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the device has a flange located
between the actuator and the movable module, and the flange has a
through hole for the lock pin to pass through.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is powered by an
independent power supply.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein the sensor has a probe pin to
detect if the device being positioned on the support plane.
17. The device of claim 12, wherein the bottom wall has a cavity to
hold a spring and a slide bar as the transfer unit, the slide bar
has a bottom end extending out of the bottom wall as the input unit
and a top end formed in a lock stub manner as the output unit
engageable with a locking member located in the movable module, and
the lock stub disengages with the locking member at the normal
state in which the bottom end rests on the support plane and the
spring is compressed to store spring energy, the lock stub engages
with the locking member for locking the movable module at the
selected position at the abnormal state in which the bottom end is
moved away from the supporting plane and the spring releases the
stored energy.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the lock stub is formed in a
hook and the locking member is a locking bore.
19. The device claim 17, wherein the slide bar has a low limit hook
and a high limit shoulder for respectively forming a lowest dead
end and a highest dead end of the slide bar movement against the
bottom wall.
20. The device of claim 12, wherein the input unit includes an
input bar and a spring held in an opening formed in the bottom
wall, the spring has one end engaged with the input bar and another
end engaged with the bottom wall, the output unit includes an
output bar which has one end formed a lock member and another end
pivotally engaged with a top end of the input bar to form a portion
of the transfer unit, the output bar has a sliding slot pivotally
engaged with a fulcrum to form another portion of the transfer
unit, the movable module has a locking element disengaged with the
lock member when the device is positioned on the support plane
which presses a bottom end of the input bar to move away the lock
member from the locking element so that the movable module is
operationable under the normal state and the spring is storing
spring energy, and the spring will release the store energy to move
the bottom end outward from the bottom wall when the device is
moved away from the support plane so that the lock member will
engage with the locking element to lock the movable module at the
selected position in the device to form the abnormal state.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein the lock member is a hook and
the locking element is a locking edge.
22. The device of claim 20, the lock member is a first magnet and
the locking element is a second magnet attractive to the first
magnet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 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.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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).
[0010] The transfer unit is located in the device to receive input
from the input unit and to trigger an output action.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention, as well as its many advantages, may be
further understood by the following detailed description and
drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for operation principle of this
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a first embodiment
of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a second
embodiment of this invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a third embodiment
of this invention; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a fourth
embodiment of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] 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 a transfer unit 200 which can
then thereby produce a response signal for triggering an output
unit 300 to perform an action desired. In the present invention,
there are two different types of action:
[0023] 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.
[0024] 2. Under any condition other than the aforesaid state, the
movable module will be locked and engaged with the device at a
selected position.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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 a support plane 10. Above the
bottom wall 13, there is a flange 12 to hold a movable module 2
thereon. The flange 12 has a through hole 121 mating against a
locking bore 21 formed in a lower portion of the movable module 2.
The input unit 100 (as shown in FIG. 1) includes a sensor 30
mounted under the bottom wall 13. The sensor 30 has a probe pin 301
which may be pressed by the support plane 10 and may be withdrawn
into the sensor 30 under a normal condition (shown by a solid line
as labeled 301 in FIG. 2). The sensor 30 is wired to an electric
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 an actuator 32 such as a solenoid, for example, located in the
device 1. The actuator 32 is wired to the electric controller 31
and has a movable lock pin 321.
[0028] Under the normal condition, the device is properly rested on
the support plane 10 and can then precede normal operation. At this
state, the probe pin 301 is pressed and withdrawn inside the sensor
30. A signal will be generated to the electric controller 31 that
in turn generates a response signal to the actuator 32 for
withdrawing the lock pin 321 (indicated by solid lines in FIG. 2).
The movable 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 the support plane 10, the probe pin 301 will
simultaneously extend out of the sensor 30 and generate another
signal to the electric controller 31 which in turn produces a
different response signal to the actuator 32 to force the lock pin
321 outward through the hole 121 and into the locking bore 21
(indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2). Then, the movable module 2
will be locked at a desired location inside the device.
[0029] 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.
[0030] The flange 12 together with the lock pin 321 aims at
providing sufficient strength against possible movement of the
movable module 2. However, the flange 12 may be omitted if desired.
Then, the top surface of the actuator 32 will serve to provide the
same purpose.
[0031] The sensor 30, controller 31 and actuator 32 may be powered
by an independent battery power supply other than the external
power supply which might also be used to drive the device 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.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of this invention. The
bottom wall 13 of the device 1 has a cavity 14 in which a slide bar
40 can be housed. The slide bar 40 has a foot 402 at one end
extending outside the bottom wall 13 to serve as the input unit for
making contact with the support plane 10. Another end of the slide
bar 40 is formed as a hook stub 405 extending into the device 1 to
serve as the output unit of the present invention. The slide bar 40
in the cavity 14 has a trough 401 for holding at least one spring
41 therein. The slide bar 40 further has a low limit hooks 403 and
a high limit shoulder 404 for setting respectively the lowest and
the highest dead ends of the slide bar motion. The movable module 2
has a locking bore 21 engageable with the lock stub 405. The
transfer unit of the present invention is formed by the cavity 14,
the slide bar 40 and the spring 41.
[0033] While in use under a normal condition, the device 1 is
rested upon the support plane 10. The foot 402 is pressed upward
and compresses the spring 41 to store spring energy. The slide bar
40 is pushed upward and moves the lock stub 405 out of the locking
bore 21. The movable module 2 is thus free to move and operation.
When the device 1 is moved away from the support plane 10, the
compressed spring 41 releases the stored energy and pushes the
slide bar 41 as well as the foot 402 downward (indicated by broken
lines in FIG. 3). The lock stub 405 engages with the locking bore
21 and locks the movable 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.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of this invention. The
device 1 has a bottom wall 13 in which an opening 15 is provided.
There is an input bar 50 running through the opening 15. In the
opening 15, there is a compression spring 51 which has a high end
engaged with the bottom wall 13 and a low end engaged with the
input bar 50 to push the bottom end of the input bar 50 resting on
the supporting plane 10.
[0035] Of course, on the other hand, the spring 51 can be embodied
as a tension spring to pull the input bar 50 downward through the
bottom wall 13. In such a case, the spring 51 has its high end to
engage with the input bar 50 and has its low end to engage with the
bottom wall 13.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the top end of the input bar 50 is
extended into the device 1 and is pivotally engaged with one end of
an output bar 52. The output bar 52 is formed like a lever and has
a slot in the middle pivotally engaged with a fulcrum 17. Another
end of the output bar 52 can be bent into a hook shape engageable
with a locking edge 22 formed on a movable module 2.
[0037] In the present embodiment, the input bar 50 and the spring
51 become the input unit. The output bar 52 is the output unit. The
pivotal engagement between the input bar 50 and output bar 52, and
the pivotal and slideable engagement between the slot in the output
bar 52 and the fulcrum 17 form the transfer unit of the present
invention.
[0038] While in use under a normal condition, the device 1 is
rested upon the support plane 10. The input bar 50 will be pushed
upward to move the output bar 52 downward for the hook as shown to
disengage with the locking edge 22 (shown by solid lines in FIG.
4). Then, the movable module 2 is unlocked and movable for any
normal operation. While the device 1 is removed from the support
plane 10, the spring 51 will push (or pull) the input bar 51
downward. The output bar 52 will be moved upward to make the hook
engaged with the locking edge 22. Then, the movable module 2 is at
a locked position shown by broken lines in FIG. 4.
[0039] 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 locking edge 22 on the movable
module 2, a first magnet 521 is attached to the output bar 52 for
attracting a mating second magnet 23 located on the movable module
2 during the locked condition.
[0040] The spring 51 used in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may be a compression
spring, a tensile spring or a torsion spring.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
* * * * *