MEMORY METAL LOCKING MECHANISM
A locking mechanism assembly can include a locking member that can move between a retracted position and a deployed position. A first spring is coupled to a proximal portion of the locking member and exerts a force on the locking member in the proximal direction toward the retracted position. A second spring is coupled to the locking member and exerts a force on the locking member in a distal direction toward the deployed position, opposite to the direction of force exerted by the first spring. One of the first and second springs includes a shape memory material that moves to a pre-deformed state when exposed to heat, thereby increasing in tension such that the force it exerts on the locking member exceeds the force exerted on the locking member by the other of the first and second springs, causing the locking member to move to the retracted or deployed position.
1 . A device comprising:
a first component;
a second component detachably coupleable to the first component, the second component comprising a surface and one or more locking mechanism assemblies mounted on the surface, the locking mechanism assembly comprising
a locking member configured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position,
a first spring coupled to a proximal portion of the locking member, the first spring configured to exert a force on the locking member in a first direction toward one of the retracted and deployed positions, and
a second spring coupled to the locking member, the second spring configured to exert a force on the locking member in a second direction opposite the first direction toward the other of the retracted and deployed positions, the second spring comprising a shape memory material, where the second spring moves to a pre-deformed state when exposed to heat, thereby increasing in tension such that the force exerted by the second spring on the locking member exceeds the force exerted on the locking member by the first spring, causing the locking member to move in the second direction, and wherein the second spring moves to a deformed state when cooled below a predetermined level, thereby decreasing in tension such that the force exerted by the first spring on the locking member exceeds the force exerted on the locking member by the second spring, causing the locking member to move in the first direction,
wherein the second component comprises one or more elements configured to generate one or more of heating and cooling of the surface to move the locking member to the deployed or retracted position to lock or unlock the second component to the first component.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first spring exerts a force on the locking member in the first direction toward the retracted position, and wherein second spring exerts a force on the locking member in the second direction toward the deployed position, wherein in the deployed position the second component is coupled to the first component and wherein in the retracted position the second component is decoupled from the first component.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein in the second spring is a leafspring.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the leafspring extends generally transverse to a length of the locking member and to an axis of the first spring.
5 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the leaf spring extends through a bore across a body of the locking member.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the second spring is a coil spring.
7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the second spring extends along an axis generally parallel to an axis of the locking member and an axis of the first spring.
8 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the second spring extends from an opposite side of the proximal portion of the locking member than the first spring.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first component is a container and the second component is a detachable unit that transmits one or both of heating and cooling to a surface of the container when the unit is coupled to the container to heat or cool contents in the container.
10 . A locking mechanism assembly, comprising
a locking member configured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position;
a first spring coupled to a proximal portion of the locking member, the first spring configured to exert a force on the locking member in the proximal direction toward the retracted position; and
a second spring coupled to the locking member, the second spring configured to exert a force on the locking member in a distal direction toward the deployed position, opposite to the direction of force exerted by the first spring,
wherein one of the first and second springs comprising a shape memory material that moves to a pre-deformed state when exposed to heat, thereby increasing in tension such that the force it exerts on the locking member exceeds the force exerted on the locking member by the other of the first and second springs, causing the locking member to move to the retracted or deployed position.
11 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein when said one of the first and second springs comprising a shape memory material is not exposed to heat, it decreases in tension such that the force it exerts on the locking member is lower than the force exerted on the locking member by the other of the first and second springs, causing the locking member to move to the deployed or retracted position.
12 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein in the second spring is a leafspring.
13 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the leafspring extends generally transverse to a length of the locking member and to an axis of the first spring.
14 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the leaf spring extends through a bore across a body of the locking member.
15 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second spring is a coil spring.
16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the second spring extends along an axis generally parallel to an axis of the locking member and an axis of the first spring.
17 . The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the second spring extends from an opposite side of the proximal portion of the locking member than the first spring.
18 . The assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a component surface on which the first and second springs are attached, the locking member configured to move in a direction generally parallel to a plane of the component surface.