Coupling with Solenoid Release Locking Mechanism

摘要

A solenoid locking mechanism connects a solenoid body to a male coupling member. The male coupling member surrounds a housing at the end of the solenoid. A pair of ball bearings is retained in the housing and extends into the coupling member. Movement of the ball bearings by the plunger control locking or releasing the coupling member. In an alternate embodiment the solenoid locking mechanism secures the coupling mechanism to a lockable rod that has a ball nose at one end. The locking mechanism has a locking chamber or socket with a ball bearing mounted in the chamber wall. The ball bearing is moveable between a position in which it extends into the locking chamber or can be moved out from the locking chamber. The movement of the ball bearing is controlled by a plunger in the solenoid body. The ball nose is selectively locked in the locking chamber or released from the locking chamber depending on the position of the plunger which controls the position and movement of the ball bearing.

主权项

1. A solenoid operated coupling for connecting a solenoid body to a male coupling member comprising:
a male coupling member with a lockable head at one end, a solenoid body, a solenoid operated plunger mounted in the solenoid body adapted for movement in response to selectively energizing or de-energizing the solenoid coil, a socket chamber within the solenoid body for receiving in locking engagement the lockable head of the male coupling member, at least one locking member mounted in the solenoid body and adapted for movement into and out of the socket chamber in response to the movement of the solenoid operated plunger, the locking member engaging the lockable head to retain the lockable head in the socket chamber when the solenoid operated plunger is in a first position and being pushed out of the socket chamber by the movement of the lockable head to release the lockable head from the socket chamber when the solenoid operated plunger is in a second position.