A locking mechanism (100) comprises a piston element (102) comprising a piston groove (124) extending in an axial direction along a radially outer surface (126) of the piston element (102), a housing (104) comprising a bore (112) for receiving the piston element (102) for reciprocating axial movement between a locked position and an unlocked position, a locking ball (108) received in the piston groove (124) and a locking ring (106) mounted for rotational movement about the piston element (102) between a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking ring (106 comprising a radially inner locking ring groove (143), the locking ring groove (143) having a recess (146) formed in a radially inner surface (144) thereof for receiving the locking ball (108) in the unlocking position of the locking ring (106). The piston groove (124) comprises a first axially extending section (132) and a second axially extending section (134), the radial depth (D1) of the first axially extending section (132) being greater than the radial depth (D2) of the second axially extending section (134). The mechanism (100) is configured such that when the piston element (102) is in its locked position and the locking ring (106) is in its locking position, the radially inner surface (144) of the locking ring groove (143) is in radial alignment with the piston groove (124) such that the locking ball (108) received in the first axially extending section (132) of the piston groove (124) is prevented from moving outwardly in a radial direction an amount sufficient to enter the second axially extending section (134) of the piston groove (124) and when the piston element (102) is in its locked position but the locking ring (106) moves to its unlocking position, the recess (146) in the radially inner surface (144) of the locking ring groove (143) is in radial alignment with the piston groove (124) such that the locking ball (108) received in the first axially extending section (132) of the piston groove (124) can move radially outwardly into the recess (146), thereby allowing the locking ball (108) to enter the second axially extending section (134) of the piston groove (124) and an axial movement of the piston element from its locked to its unlocked position under a force biasing the piston element (102) towards the housing (104).
LOCKING MECHANISM
VERRIEGELUNGSMECHANISMUS
MÉCANISME DE VERROUILLAGE
2021-01-27
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch