Door Lock Latch Bolt with Orthogonal Magnets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks for doors/windows/shutters suffer from noise generation during operation, aesthetic issues due to visible latch bolts, and the need for deep milling in frames, which is costly and requires strong frames.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a shaped counter-plate with reduced size, utilizing neodymium permanent magnets with orthogonal magnetic poles to minimize noise and visibility, and a latch bolt with magnets to ensure smooth operation and installation without deep milling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional latch bolt is used that is always partially extracted from the box-like body, then the lock can be easily operated, but the latch bolt is visible and aesthetically unpleasing when the movable wing is in open position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring system with a magnetic field system. Magnets are integrated into the latch bolt and the shaped counter-plate, using magnetic attraction to hold the latch bolt in the extended position. This substitution allows for a more compact design where the latch bolt can be fully retracted when not in use, improving aesthetics while maintaining ease of operation through the magnetic holding mechanism.
2Reliability
If the stop portion of the latch bolt is inserted into the housing cavity of the shaped counter-plate, then the lock provides secure locking, but it generates unpleasant sharp noise during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical engagement system with a magnetic field system. Magnets are integrated into the latch bolt and the shaped counter-plate, using magnetic attraction to hold the latch bolt in the extended position. This substitution eliminates the sharp noise generated by mechanical impact during engagement, while maintaining secure locking through the magnetic holding force.
3Ease of manufacture
If deep milling is performed on the fixed frame to house the shaped counter-plate, then the lock can be properly installed, but it increases manufacturing cost and requires very thick and strong frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the depth requirement of the shaped counter-plate by utilizing the width dimension more effectively. The magnets are positioned and oriented to provide sufficient holding force with a shallower counter-plate design, allowing installation in thinner frames without deep milling operations.
4Ease of operation
If the latch bolt is moved from extended position to retracted position by interference with the fixed upright, then the movable wing can be closed, but it generates annoying noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical interference-based movement system with a magnetic field system. Magnets are integrated into the latch bolt and the shaped counter-plate, using magnetic attraction to guide and hold the latch bolt during movement. This substitution eliminates the noise generated by mechanical interference with the fixed upright, while maintaining ease of use through the magnetic guidance mechanism.
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 solution provides a quiet, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-install lock with reduced frame milling requirements, ensuring reliable operation and clean external lines.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing neodymium permanent magnets with orthogonal magnetic poles to minimize noise and visibility
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Lock for doors/windows/shutters comprising a box-like body (2) provided with at least one front opening (3), a latch bolt (4) slidably housed in the box-like body (2) along a movement direction (X), provided with a stop portion (5) carrying, associated therewith, at least one first magnet (11) and susceptible of crossing the front opening (3) of the box-like body (2), a shaped counter-plate (7) provided with a housing cavity (13) delimited by at least one lateral wall and adapted to receive the stop portion (5) of the latch bolt (4) at its interior, at least one second magnet (12) mechanically associated with the shaped counter-plate (7) and susceptible of attracting the first magnet (11), movement means (10) housed within the box-like body (2), mechanically associated with said latch bolt (4) and drivable in order to move the latch bolt (4) between a retracted position and an extended position in order to insert the stop portion (5) within the housing cavity (13) of the shaped counter-plate (7); the first magnet (11) of the latch bolt (4) is provided with two first magnetic poles aligned along a first magnetization axis (Z) parallel to the movement direction (X) and the second magnet (12) of the shaped counter-plate (7) is placed at the lateral wall (8) and is provided with two second magnetic poles aligned along a second magnetization axis (Y) substantially orthogonal to the movement direction (X).