Compact Clutch Mechanism for Door Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch mechanisms for door locks with locking bolts operated by handles or knobs are bulky, have too many pieces, and project excessively, limiting their application and stability due to play between components and alignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact clutch mechanism with a small number of pieces, featuring a worm-screw driven radial pin that engages with a notch in another clutch element, assisted by a thruster rocker arm and spiral spring, allowing for secure and stable operation without weakened positions, and an emergency system for failed access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional clutch mechanisms are used with multiple components (drive lever, thrust arm, coupling arm, arched projection), then the locking function can be achieved, but the mechanism becomes bulky and projects excessively from the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (drive lever, thrust arm, coupling arm) into a single integrated clutch body. The clutch body directly integrates the drive lever, thrust arm, and coupling arm functions into one piece, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall mechanism thickness while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the drive lever, thrust arm, and coupling arm all in one component. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts needed and minimizes the projection from the door while achieving the same locking effect.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used in the clutch mechanism, then the locking function can be implemented, but the number of pieces increases leading to assembly complexity and economic disadvantages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single clutch body that performs all necessary locking operations. This integration reduces the number of separate pieces from multiple components (drive lever, thrust arm, coupling arm) to one unified component, simplifying assembly and reducing economic costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional alignment mechanisms with gaps and arched projections are used, then the coupling arm can rotate outside the line of the injector arm, but play between components occurs leading to weakened positions when the outside handle is displaced
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the drive lever, thrust arm, and coupling arm into a single clutch body, the patent eliminates the gaps and alignment issues between separate components. The unified structure removes play between parts while maintaining the necessary rotation capability when the outside handle is displaced.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mechanism provides a compact, stable, and adaptable solution for door locks, ensuring secure operation and easy integration with various door types, reducing the risk of weakened positions and improving assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a worm-screw (12) driven by a motor (11) which controls the displacement of a radial pin (24)
Implementation Method 2
assisted by a spring (25)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
It permits a pulling movement to be transferred or not to the bolt of the lock when turning the internal or external handles attached to separate square-section shafts belonging to clutch elements and which can have independent rotation or they can do so integrally. The first clutch element (15) connected to the outside handle (6) possesses a prismatic projection (22) with a radial orifice into which fits a pulling pin (24) assisted by a spring (25) and able to be displaced in order to be introduced into a slot (32) of the second clutch element (16). The movement is controlled by a motor (11) with a worm-screw (12) linked to a spring (38) which can manage to displace a thruster rocker arm (27) which makes contact with said pulling pin (24). There exists an emergency device defined by a rod (35) and another spring (38) linked to said thruster rocker arm (27).