WO2019073466A1

WO2019073466A1 - Interlocking mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2019073466A1
Application number: PCT/ID2017/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincentius Ganda HERMAWI; Dwidjaja Setiabudi; Kho Sasih Adisusanto; Daniel Alan NIO; Setiawan Yusran; Hadi Prajitno; Agus Rudy HERMANTO; Poedjianto RAHARDJO; Philip CHANDRA; Denny ANDRIANTO; Dahnari YULIA; Heru Mulyatmo; Rully SEPTIADI; Hadi DARSONO; Rocky Yulius WIJAYA; Dennis Yonathan SANTOSO
Original assignee: Pt Hartono Istana Teknologi
Priority date: 2017-10-12
Filing date: 2017-10-12
Publication date: 2019-04-18

Abstract

Interlocking Mechanism An interlocking system including two or more objects wherein a first object (40) including a retractable member (1), a second object (41) including a receptacle member (21), an actuator (9) capable of extending and retracting the retractable member for engaging and disengaging the receptacle member, wherein the actuator is controlled by a proximity unit (15, 16, 17), wherein the proximity unit is capable of detecting the proximity of the two objects; and wherein one or more magnets (7, 27) facilitate the alignment the retractable member with the receptacle member.

Description

Interlocking Mechanism

This invention is related to an interlocking mechanism for coupling and locking a plurality of devices.

Background of the Invention

Various electronic devices such as telecommunication products, multimedia applications, audio-video equipment, home appliances and the like may include parts that require frequent attachment and detachment during routine use. Such known attachment means for engaging these parts may be a bit burdensome to utilize in practice. For example, certain engagement/disengagement in conventional mechanisms may require some degree of familiarization or trial and error before the user can effectively execute proper engagement and/or locking. Additionally, many conventional mechanisms may require physical assertion from users in order to effectively lock the mechanisms of interest. Moreover, conventional mechanisms may not assure sufficiently secure connection and/or locking.

For audio equipment that uses a conventional pin-and-slot locking means, there can be unwanted vibration and noise caused by a loose connection. Additionally, such pin-and-slot mechanisms can be cumbersome and time consuming during the process of releasing/unlocking due to the need of shifting at least two levers while requiring additional human effort in detaching multiple objects (such as loudspeaker) from a main center unit that may be to control or power the unit.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks. The invention provides an easy, accurate, swift and firm engagement and/or interlocking between two or more objects. It also provides auto alignment of the two or more objects so that the engagement can be smoothly performed. According to this invention, there is provided a system for engaging a plurality of objects wherein a first object includes a retractable member; a second object includes a receptacle member; an actuator capable of extending and retracting the retractable member for engaging and disengaging the receptacle member; wherein the actuator is controlled by a proximity unit; wherein the proximity unit is capable of detecting the proximity of the two objects; and wherein one or more magnets facilitate the alignment of the retractable member with the receptacle member.

The invention automatically connects and interlocks two or more objects (such as loudspeakers) by employing a mechanical transmission system using a proximity unit employing one or more magnets, one or more retractable members driven by one or more motors through transmission from a primary gear to one or more secondary gears. The motors enable the retractable member which may be one or more rods to move/spin simultaneously towards corresponding receptacle member which may be in the form of one or more nuts until the rods and corresponding matching nuts are securely engaged with each other. Additionally, the threads on the retractable members sufficiently facilitate secure engagement.

The first object may include a sound control system and the second object may include a loudspeaker. The first object may include one or more magnets for facilitating proper alignment of the first object. The first object may include a microprocessor to control one or more motors for driving several interconnected gears. Moreover, the retractable members may further function as one or more electrical conductors when connected to the receptacles in the second object. This connection may enable transmission of current between circuits contained in the first and second objects. This enables the transmission of power and signal from the first object to the speaker in the second object.

In the present invention, the retractable members are driven by the motor through interconnected gears. The operation of the motor is controlled by a microprocessor in cooperation with a plurality of switches.

In another embodiment, the proximity unit comprises transmitter and receiver of radio signals wherein radio signal is transmitted from transmitter in one of the units and received by receiver in the other unit to detect the proximity between the two units in order to activate the microprocessor that controls the motor driving/actuating the extension of the retractable member.

In another embodiment, the proximity unit comprises an emitter and a sensor of light wherein light is emitted from emitter in one of the units and received by receiver in the other unit to detect the proximity between the two unit in order to activate the microprocessor that controls the motor driving/actuating the extension of the retractable member.

In another embodiment, the alignment of the retractable members and the receptable members is achieved by the shape of the surfaces on the first and second objects. Such shape can be a convex surface on the first object and a concave surface on the second object.

In another embodiment, the alignment of the retractable members and the receptable members is achieved by guides on the first and second objects.

The invention described herein is a simple operation auto alignment locking mechanism which can be utilized in a plurality of devices (electrical, mechanical) such as but not limited to wall-mounted flat screen televisions, car dashboard gadget holders, lamp mounting, safe deposit drawers, wall-mounted indoor AC units, and audio systems with detachable loudspeakers. Moreover, the invention described herein simplifies installation process compared to known locking systems while also providing more secure engagement/locking of devices.

In addition, the locking mechanism provides a "self-cleaning" functionality through frictional rubbing between 'male and female' threads during the engaging process, thereby facilitating in higher reliability by minimizing corrosion and 'bad-contact'.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1A is a perspective view of a first object (40) and a second object (41) for an alignment locking system with cut away section of male connector exposed (Y) in first object (40) and female receptacle (z) in second object (41);

Figure 1 B is an enlarged perspective cut-away view of male connector section (Y) within first object connector (40); Figure 1C is an enlarged perspective cut-away view of a second object (41) having a receptacle member (z);

Figure 2A is a side sectional view of the second object (41) with the covers removed;

Figure 2B is an enlarged perspective cut-away view of a second object (41 ) having a receptacle member shown in Figure 2A;

Figure 3A is a perspective view of a sectional portion of the first object (40);

Figure 3B is a detailed enlarged perspective view of a sectional portion shown in Fig 3A;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the first object (40) according to one embodiment with a microprocessor attached;

Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of the microprocessor shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows alignment according to one of the embodiments;

Figure 7A is a see-through perspective view of first object (40) and second object (41) connected to one another;

Figure 7B is an enlarged cut-away perspective view of first object (40) while connected to second object (41);

Figures 8A and 8B are a perspective view of the guide used in an alignment according to another embodiment of this invention;

Figures 9A and 9B are a perspective view of the shape used in an alignment according to another embodiment of this invention;

Figures 10A, 10B and 10C respectively show. how the invention is applied to a dashboard of a vehicle, phone and its holder, and TV/monitor and its holder.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 A is a perspective view of a first object (40) and a second object (41) (in this embodiment, it is a loudspeaker). Y is a detailed exploded view of a retractable member (1 ) in this embodiment and Z is a detailed exploded view of a receptacle member (21). Further, it illustrates a preferred embodiment of the interlocking mechanism where the second object (41) is connected to the first object (40); an actuator capable of extending and retracting the retractable member (1) for engaging and disengaging the receptacle member (21); wherein the actuator is controlled by a proximity unit; wherein the proximity unit is capable of detecting the proximity of the two objects; and wherein one or more magnets (7, 27) to facilitate the alignment of the retractable member (1) with the receptacle member (21). In this embodiment, the proximity unit comprises one or more magnets. In other embodiments, the proximity unit may comprise a unit transmitting and receiving radio signal or a light sensor.

Actuator in this embodiment is a set of parts to actuate extension and retraction of retractable member (1). The actuator in this embodiment includes interconnected gears and motor (9) wherein motor (9) drives secondary gear (5) through a primary gear (8). The primary gear (8) may also drive more than one secondary gear not depicted in the drawings.

Figure 2A is a side sectional view of the second object (41) with the covers removed. Portion Z of the Figure 2A shows the receptacle member (21) disposed in a corner of the second object (41) (a loudspeaker). A trigger magnet (31) which induces repulsion force together with a trigger magnet (16) (not shown) in the first object (40) is disposed in a corner of the second object (41). Figure 2B is an enlarged perspective cutaway view of the second object (41) in which the receptacle member (21) is disposed as shown in Figure 2A. In Figure 2B, the components surrounding the receptacle member (21) are as follows: a guide (20), a receptacle member (21), a spring (22), a holder connector (23) and a connector terminal (24) and a cable (25).

Figure 3A is a perspective view of a sectional portion of the first object (40). The first object (40) includes a motor (9). A trigger magnet (16) disposed in the corner of the first object (40) is attached to a link plate (17) which forms a switch with leaf-switch (15) thereby activating a microprocessor (26) to commence control of the operation of the motor (9) driving retractable member (1) through interconnected gears that include primary and one or more secondary gears or gear system.

Figure 3B is a detailed enlarged perspective view of a sectional portion of a retractable member area. The retractable member (1) is located in a shaft gear (4). A holding nut (3) is mounted in front of the shaft gear (4) holding the retractable member (1). In another embodiment, the shaft gear (4) may be coupled to the primary gear (8) without having secondary gear (54) there between.

Based on Figures 3A and 3B, when the first object (40) and the second object (41) are in close proximity, the trigger magnet (16) in the first object (40) is caused by magnetic repulsion force to push the link plate/connector (17) to contact the leaf switch (15) thereby closing the circuit and activating a microprocessor (26) which controls the operation of motor (9). The movement of trigger magnet (16) is enabled by a magnetic repulsion force exerted by trigger magnet (16) in first object and a trigger magnet (which is not shown) in second object (41). The repulsion force causes the leaf switch (15) to close the circuit activating the microprocessor (26) which commences the operation of a motor (9). When the motor (9) starts to operate, the motor (9) drives the interconnected gears which include a primary gear (8) and a secondary gear (5) and/or a shaft gear (4). The secondary gear (5) functions as a main link between the primary gear and the shaft gear (4). The shaft gear (4) turns the retractable member (1) and drives the retractable member (1) forward through a holding nut (3) until the retractable member (1) engages and locks with receptacle member (21) in the second object (41). When the retractable member (1) is prevented from spinning further by locking plate (23) and stopping the motor (9), the microprocessor (26) receives signal current sensors of an overcurrent in the circuit and microprocessor is programmed to cut off current supply to motor (9). Further, the microprocessor (26) is programmed to cut off current after a predetermined time of preferably 2.

Additionally, the retractable member (1), in this example, in the form of threaded screw or rod, can be used as an electrical conductor to electrically connect the first object (40) to the second object (41). That is, to connect power between amplifier and speaker (28), or to turn on an LED light in the second object (41) as shown in Figure 2A. Referring to Figure 2B, the application of the retractable member (1) as an electrical conductor can be supported by other features and/br units of the locking system being made of conductive material (e.g. copper, stainless steel) such as the holding nut (3), connector terminal (6), guide (20), receptacle member (21), spring (22), holder connector (23) and connector terminal (24) and cable (25).

Still referring to Figures 3A and 3B, connector terminal (6) in the first object (40) may function as an electrical conductor when connected to the second object (41) such that electrical current can run through the retractable member (1). The leaf switch (15) can serve as a magnetic switch sensor, for example as a Hall-effect magnetic switch sensor or a reed switch so as to activate the microprocessor (26) which controls the operation of the motor (9). Trigger magnet (12) and trigger magnet (16) may be rectangular or asymmetric in shape.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the first object (40) according to one embodiment showing microprocessor (26) and operation of the motor (9) driving retractable member (1) through interconnected gears.

Figures 5 is a circuit diagram of the microprocessor shown in Figure 4. The microprocessor (26) controls the motor (9) to actuate interconnected gears to move/spin the retractable member (1) and extends it. When the first object and the second object are within the proximity range, the repulsion force (from a magnet in second object (41)) causes magnet (16) to press the leaf switch which close the circuit activating the microprocessor (26) to start the motor (9). The motor (9) drives the retractable member (21) into spinning motion extending towards and engaging the receptacle member (21) and stop spinning further through the control of microprocessor (26) on motor (9) as described above.

In order to disengage the two objects, a release button (13) is pressed to activate the microprocessor which activates the motor (9) to move the interconnected gears in the reverse direction such that the retractable member (1) retracts from the receptacle member (21) moving back inside the first object (40). When the retractable member (1) is fully retracted and prevented from spinning further by the holding nut (3) and stopping the motor (9), the microprocessor (26) senses overcurrent and is programmed to cut off current supply to the motor (9). Further, the microprocessor (26) is programmed to cut off current after a predetermined time of preferably 2 seconds,

Figure 6 shows the first object (40) and the second object (41) in an interlocked arrangement. One or more magnets (7, 27) facilitate the alignment of the retractable member (1) with the receptacle member (21). The magnets (7, 27) are positioned in the first and the second objects opposite each other when the first object and the second object (41) are aligned. The shape of the magnets (7, 27) can be elongated or circular or any other shape suitable for this purpose.

Figure 7A is a see-through perspective view of the first object (40) and the second object (41) connected to one another in one embodiment. The engagement of the two objects is by a proximity unit comprising one or more magnets (12, 16) and (29, 31). As illustrated in the figure, the retractable member (1) is in an engagement state with the receptacle member (21).

As shown in Figure 7B (in an enlarged cut-away perspective view), retractable member (1) in first object (40) is extended into receptacle member (21) in second object (41). As also shown in Figure 3A, the motor (not shown in the drawing) enables the retractable member (1) to move/spin simultaneously towards corresponding receptacle members (21) until the retractable member (1) and corresponding receptacle members (21) are securely engaged with each other. The attraction force of magnets (7, 27) in the first object (40) and second object (41) align the retractable member with the receptacle member before the engagement of retractable member with receptacle member. The alignment is achieved by the attraction force between magnets (7, 27) so that the retractable member (1) will be aligned with receptacle member (21). Additionally, in the embodiment, the retractable member (1) having threads are preferred as it will sufficiently facilitate a secure engagement.

Figures 8A and 8B are alternative embodiments of the alignment. The alignment of the retractable member (1) and the receptable member is achieved by the shape of the surfaces on the first and second objects located in a corner. In Figure 6A, the shape of the retractable member (1) may include a cross, a rounded and a rectangle shaped, respectively. In another embodiment. Figure 6B is the receptacle member of the corresponding shape of the retractable member (1) in Figure 6B, respectively.

Figures 9A and 9B show other embodiments of the alignment based on the shape of protrusion on the first object to facilitate alignment with the recess in the second object. In Figure 6A, the shape of the protrusion can be a circular that protrudes from the surface on the first object. And the second object (41) has a corresponding recess shape on its surface. In another embodiment, shown in Figure 7B, the shape can be a rectangle shape protruding from the surface on the first object. And the second object has a corresponding recess shape in its surface.

Figures 10A, 10B and 10C are alternative applications of this invention. Figure 10A shows an application of this invention in a display instrument that is attached to a dashboard using the invention. Figure 10B is an alternative application of this invention in a phone that is attached to a phone holder using the invention. Further, Figure 10C is another application of this invention in a TV/monitor that is attached to a TV/monitor holder using the invention.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a portion" includes reference to one or more of such portions, i.e. that there is at least one portion. The terms "comprising", "having", "including" and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and, are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

Claim

1. A system for engaging a plurality of objects comprising:

a first object including a retractable member;

a second object including a receptacle member;

an actuator capable of extending and retracting the retractable member for engaging and disengaging the receptacle member;

wherein the actuator is controlled by a proximity unit;

wherein the proximity unit is capable of detecting the proximity of the two objects; and

wherein one or more magnets facilitate the alignment the retractable member with the receptacle member.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the retractable member is a threaded screw or rod.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the proximity unit comprises one or more magnets.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the proximity unit comprises unit transmitting and receiving radio signal.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the proximity unit comprises light sensor.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the first object includes a sound control system and the second object includes a loudspeaker.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the retractable member serves as an electrical conductor for transmitting current between the first object and the second object.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the engagement of said objects provides a self-cleaning functionality.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the first object includes a microprocessor to activate one or more motors for turning interconnected gears.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the first object further comprises a connector terminal capable of functioning as an electrical conductor when connected to the second object.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a motor driving one or more secondary gears through a primary gear.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein the retractable member is a retractable member which is capable of rotation.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the second object comprises a loudspeaker.

14. A system for engaging a plurality of objects comprising:

a first object including a retractable member;

a second object including a receptacle member;

wherein the actuator is controlled by a proximity unit;

wherein one or more magnets facilitate the alignment of the retractable member with the receptacle member;

wherein the alignment of the retractable member and the receptacle member is achieved by the shape of the engaging surface of the two units.

15. A system for engaging a plurality of objects comprising:

a first object including a retractable member;

a second object including a receptacle member;

an actuator capable of extending and retracting the retractable member for engaging and disengaging the receptacle member; wherein the actuator is controlled by a proximity unit;

wherein one or more magnets facilitate the alignment the retractable member with the receptacle member;

wherein the alignment of the retractable member and the receptacle member is achieved by guides.