Self-releasing lock mechanism

A method of locking rotation of a driveshaft to mechanical ground, wherein the driveshaft is in mechanical communication with a first end of a rotor of a motor, wherein the motor is disposed in a motor housing that is connected to mechanical ground, wherein the motor housing is surrounded by a ground lock housing, wherein the ground lock housing has one or more locking pins adapted to engage one or more locking sites of a locking plate, and wherein the ground lock housing has a locking arrangement adapted to engage a second end of a rotor, the method comprising the steps of:

• forcing the ground lock housing towards the locking plate;
• rotating the ground lock housing in a first direction so as to align each of the one or more locking pins with a respective locking site while continuing to force the ground lock housing towards the locking plate such that the one or more locking pins engage a respective locking site;
• and
• rotating the ground lock housing in a second direction so as to cause the locking arrangement to engage the second end of the rotor.

A device with a self-releasing lock mechanism, comprising:

• a motor comprising a stator and a rotor;
• a motor housing, wherein the stator is disposed within the motor housing and wherein a first end of the rotor extends out of a first side of the motor housing and a second end of the rotor extends out of a second side of the motor housing that is opposite to the first side, and wherein the motor housing includes a flange region connected to mechanical ground;
• a ground lock housing comprising one or more locking pins and a locking arrangement, wherein the ground lock housing surrounds at least a portion of the motor housing, wherein the locking arrangement is configured to engage the second end of the rotor, and wherein the locking pins are adapted to extend into and through the flange region;
• a biasing member disposed between the ground lock housing and the flange region, wherein biasing member biases the ground lock housing away from the flange region;
• and
• a locking plate comprising a driveshaft and a plurality of locking sites, wherein the driveshaft is in mechanical communication with the first end of the rotor and wherein each of the plurality of locking sites are adapted to receive one of the one or more locking pins;
• wherein the locking arrangement engages the second end of the rotor to hold the ground lock housing in a position in which each of the one or more locking pins is inserted into one of the plurality of locking sites.