Actuation Assembly Fixing Element for Door Lock Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of actuation assemblies for door locks, particularly in cold storage applications, is complex and prone to errors due to design-related tolerances in door thickness, requiring careful selection of spacers and exertion of forces to secure the actuating means to the push pin, which can lead to instability and misalignment.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a fixing element that axially secures the actuating means to the fitting part, preventing relative position changes and eliminating the need for external forces during assembly, along with a compensating mechanism to adjust for door thickness tolerances, and a bearing element to stabilize the push pin, ensuring secure and stable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional assembly methods are used without a fixing element, then the assembly process requires complex spacer selection and external forces, but this leads to assembly errors and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic elements (complex spacer selection and external forcing mechanisms) from the assembly process by introducing a fixing element that inherently maintains proper positioning. The fixing element absorbs the complexity of tolerance compensation, eliminating the need for separate spacer components and external assembly forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing element performs the self-service function of automatically maintaining the correct axial position and orientation of the actuating means relative to the push pin during assembly. It inherently compensates for door thickness variations without requiring external intervention or complex spacer selection, making the assembly process self-aligning and error-resistant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If spacers are used to accommodate door thickness tolerances, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of positioning, spacing, and fixing into a single integrated fixing element. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate spacer components and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining positioning accuracy. The fixing element inherently accommodates door thickness tolerances through its design, combining multiple functions that would otherwise require separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains axial positioning, compensates for thickness variations, prevents misalignment, and secures the actuating means to the push pin. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components (spacers, alignment features, and fastening mechanisms), simplifying both manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If external forces are exerted to secure the actuating means to the push pin, then connection stability can be achieved, but assembly complexity and potential for error increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing element performs the preliminary action of establishing proper positioning and maintaining connection stability before the final assembly steps are completed. It pre-establishes the correct axial distance and orientation between the actuating means and push pin, eliminating the need for external forcing mechanisms during assembly and preventing misalignment before fastening occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4036356B1Actuation assembly for actuating a push pin
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 RAHRBACH GMBH
  • EP4036356B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4036356B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4036356B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to an actuating assembly (2) for actuating a push pin (6) of a door lock, in particular a cold storage door lock, comprising a fitting part (4) that can be arranged on a door (10), an actuating means (3) that is movable relative to the fitting part (4) and a fixing element (3.3) for axially fixing the actuating means (3) to the fitting part (4).