Door Lock Open Link Tilt Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing door lock device has a low degree of freedom in the disposition of the open link, leading to high operational resistance when switching between locked and unlocked states, especially due to jamming issues caused by dust, which requires a strong spring force to ensure reliable operation.
Innovation Solution
A door lock device with a tilt biasing spring, link waiting and operation position determination portions, and a sliding-contact tilt guide that allows the open link to tilt freely and maintain the locked position, reducing the need for high spring force and minimizing operational resistance by preventing lateral inclination and promoting dust elimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the open link is connected to the handle interlock lever by means of a pin and an elongated hole, then the connection is stable, but the degree of freedom in disposition of the open link is low and operational resistance is high
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the open link and handle interlock lever is divided into two functional segments: a tilt connection hole for rotational movement and a lateral inclination restriction protruding portion for positional constraint. This segmentation allows the open link to have freedom in the tilt direction while restricting lateral movement, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure transitions from a static pin-and-hole configuration to a dynamic system where the open link can tilt freely within a specific range. The tilt connection hole enables rotational degrees of freedom, while the lateral inclination restriction protruding portion dynamically constrains movement only when necessary, optimizing both adaptability and simplicity.
2Reliability
If a large spring force is used to ensure reliable return of the open link, then the malfunction due to dust jamming is prevented, but the operational resistance during normal operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding-contact tilt guide acts as an intermediary element that facilitates the return movement of the open link. By providing a guided sliding path, it reduces friction and resistance during the tilt operation, allowing the open link to return reliably without requiring excessive spring force, thus maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics of the connection interface are changed by introducing the sliding-contact tilt guide. This modifies the interaction between the open link and its mounting structure, reducing the force required for movement while maintaining reliable return functionality, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and operational ease.
3Ease of operation
If the open link is constrained to prevent lateral inclination, then the operation becomes smoother, but the degree of freedom in disposition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint mechanism applies restriction only in the lateral inclination direction where it is needed for smooth operation, while leaving the tilt direction free for functional movement. The lateral inclination restriction protruding portion is positioned to constrain only lateral movement, preserving the necessary degrees of freedom for the open link to perform its locking and unlocking functions effectively.
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 enhances the degree of freedom in open link disposition, reduces operational resistance during locking, and eliminates malfunctions caused by dust jamming without increasing spring force, resulting in a more efficient and reliable locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a tilt biasing spring biasing the open link towards the unlock position
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock device has a high degree of freedom in the disposition of an open link for switching between a locked state and an unlocked state and has low operational resistance when being put into the locked state. When there is a malfunction in which the open link is jammed by the dust and therefore does not move from a lock waiting position to an unlock waiting position even when an unlock action is performed, when an outside handle interlock lever is turned, a sliding-contact tilt guide provided on a support body slides and makes sliding-contact with the open link and forcibly tilts the open link, and as a result, it becomes unnecessary to increase an energizing force of a torsion coil spring as a precaution against such malfunction. This makes it possible to reduce the operational resistance when the door lock device is put into the locked state.