Cam Lock Cover Contour Prevents Unintentional Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cam locks require precise alignment of the actuation with the cover contour during assembly, and the cover cannot be prevented from closing after being opened without engaging with the actuation, which limits flexibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
The cam lock design features a cover contour that allows the actuator to rotate relative to the cover, with a protruding actuation contour that prevents the cover from closing when the actuator is moved out of its closed position, eliminating the need for precise alignment and ensuring the cover cannot be closed unintentionally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cover contour is designed to engage with the actuation to prevent closing, then the open position is indicated reliably, but precise alignment during assembly is required which increases assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the alignment requirement from the cover-contour/actuation interaction by removing the engagement mechanism. The cover contour is designed without closing projections, and the actuation is designed without corresponding recesses, so that no precise alignment or engagement is needed between these components while still maintaining reliable open position indication through the cover's physical state.
2Ease of manufacture
If the actuation and cover contour are designed to engage precisely, then assembly is simplified with alignment requirements, but the actuator cannot rotate freely when closed which limits operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the engagement mechanism between the cover contour and actuation, extracting the restriction on actuator rotation. This allows the actuator to rotate freely when the cover is closed, providing operational flexibility, while assembly is simplified because no precise alignment is required between non-engaging components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cover can close freely over the actuation, then assembly is easier without alignment requirements, but unintentional closure cannot be prevented which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a spring element that automatically engages with the actuation when the cover is closed, creating a self-service mechanism. This spring-loaded interaction reliably prevents unintentional closure by requiring deliberate actuation force to overcome the spring, while maintaining easy assembly without alignment requirements because the spring provides the preventive function rather than a fixed geometric engagement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A latch lock with an actuation (1) accessible from the front of a door in the mounted state, which can be moved between an open position and a closed position by rotating it to actuate the lock, and with a cover (2) which can be folded about an axis (3) parallel to a mounting plane of the latch lock, so that the cover (2) can be folded over the actuation (1) in the closed position, wherein the cover (2) has an inner contour (4) adapted to the actuation, so that the opened cover (2) is prevented from closing, at least in the open position of the actuation (1), by the interaction of the cover contour (4) with the actuation (1), is characterized in that the cover contour (4) is designed such that the actuation (1) in the closed position can rotate out of the closed position when the cover (2) is folded over.