Cold Room Latch With Segmented Release Knob And Index Washer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Walk-in cold room door latches can be difficult to release from the wall, especially for individuals with limited dexterity or those who are trapped, due to over-tightening and the need for twisting or turning a knob, which can be challenging for those unfamiliar with the product.
Innovation Solution
A lockable strike system with an exterior strike assembly and interior release assembly, featuring a turn knob and index washer, allowing for easy release by rotating the lever 90 degrees, adjustable for varying wall thicknesses, and designed to prevent over-rotation, ensuring the latch can be disengaged without manual unscrewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fastener is overly tightened to ensure secure mounting, then the mounting strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as it becomes difficult to turn and release
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is segmented into two distinct components: a mounting thread portion that engages with the wall for secure installation, and a release knob portion that can be independently manipulated for easy release. This segmentation allows the mounting function to be optimized for strength while the release function is optimized for ease of operation, resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and easy release.
2Reliability
If a keyed locking option is provided to control access, then the security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate different access control needs. The same basic latch mechanism can be used with or without keyed locking options, and can serve both security purposes and emergency release purposes. This universal design allows access control functionality to be added without fundamentally changing or complicating the core device structure.
3Ease of operation
If an internal knob is used for release, then the ease of operation is improved for authorized personnel, but the reliability deteriorates as unfamiliar users may not realize it releases the strike
Solution Approach 1:
The release knob is designed with visual indicators including color coding and illumination features that make its function immediately apparent to all users. The knob displays different colors or lighting states to indicate locked versus unlocked conditions, and its prominent visual design ensures that anyone, regardless of familiarity with the system, can easily identify and operate the release mechanism, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and egress reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A lockable latch (8) is disclosed for walk-in cold rooms which includes a lockable strike (10) with an exterior strike assembly (16) and an interior release assembly (17). The exterior strike assembly includes a housing (25) and a rod holder (32) configured to releasably hold a coupling rod (35). The exterior strike assembly also has a metal anti-rotation plate (40) removably coupled to the housing. The interior release assembly includes a turn knob (53), an escutcheon plate (54), and an index washer (55). The turn knob includes two oppositely disposed alignment projections (77) and a radial array of steps (78) which includes four, re-occurring series of three steps. The index washer has a four time re-occurring series of steps (93).