Door Lock Adapter With Rotating Axes For Emergency Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door lock systems, such as the split spindle system, are prone to wear and tear in high-use areas, leading to failure and trapping individuals inside locked doors, and are complicated to install and maintain, especially in small or narrow spaces.
Innovation Solution
A door lock adapter that securely transmits movement between the door handle and latch/lock bolt, featuring a handle unit and lock unit connected via rotating axes, with a stop washer to prevent external interference, and an optional indicator for active/inactive state, allowing for reliable emergency door opening without the need for a key or locking knob.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a split spindle system is used to allow door opening from inside without a key, then emergency exit capability is improved, but the system becomes prone to wear and tear in small narrow areas leading to reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the adapter assembly from the interior narrow space of the lock case to the exterior surface of the door. The adapter is mounted on the door's outer surface with the handle unit accessible from outside, while the lock unit connects to the existing lock case through the door thickness. This dimensional relocation eliminates wear on interior surfaces and provides adequate space for robust mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary device between the external handle and the internal lock mechanism. It includes a handle unit with follower that translates handle movement into rotational motion, which is then transmitted through a transmission mechanism to the lock unit's follower that operates the lock bolt. This intermediary structure protects the critical transmission components from direct exposure to wear while maintaining reliable operation.
2Ease of operation
If a split spindle system is installed in small narrow areas, then emergency exit functionality is achieved, but installation and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is divided into distinct modular components: a handle unit with follower, a transmission mechanism with rotating elements, a lock unit with follower, and cover portions. These segmented components can be assembled separately and mounted as a complete unit on the door surface, simplifying installation compared to modifying existing lock case interiors. The modular design also facilitates maintenance by allowing individual component replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a pre-assembled unit that can be installed on existing doors without modifying the lock case interior. The handle unit, transmission mechanism, and lock unit are configured in advance to work together, and the entire assembly is mounted to the door surface with provisions for connecting to the existing lock case through the door thickness, eliminating the need for complex interior modifications.
3Reliability
If the adapter is mounted on the door surface with stop washer, then protection from external interference is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The stop washer is positioned on the exterior surface of the door at the location where the adapter is mounted. This preliminary protective element prevents external mechanisms, objects, or forces from interfering with the adapter's operation before such interference can occur. The stop washer creates a physical barrier that protects the handle unit and transmission mechanism from external damage while adding minimal structural complexity.
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 adapter ensures secure and reliable door opening in emergencies by providing a stable transmission mechanism that is less susceptible to wear and tear, easy to install and maintain, and compatible with existing lock cases, ensuring users can exit locked doors safely.
Implementation Method 1
a handle unit to be connected to a door handle and arranged to be rotated about a first axis when the door handle is pushed down or pulled up for moving a latch bolt in and out from said lock case
Implementation Method 2
a lock unit to be connected to a lock follower extending through said lock case and arranged to rotate about a second axis for moving a lock bolt in and out from said lock case
Implementation Method 3
the stop washer preventing outer mechanisms on the opposite side of the door leaf from affecting the adapter and interrupting its functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter for a lock case, having a handle unit (131) to be connected to a door handle and arranged to be rotated about a first axis (A') when the door handle is pushed down or pulled up in order to move a latch bolt in and out from said lock case. The adapter further has a lock unit (132) to be connected to a lock follower extending through said lock case and arranged to rotate about a second axis (B') for moving a lock bolt in and out from said lock case. The handle unit (131) comprises an end portion (137) and the lock unit (132) comprises an end portion (143) which are engaged with each other in such a way that when the handle unit (131) starts to rotate about the first axis (A') the lock unit (132) starts to rotate about the second axis (B').