Door Lock Assembly with Pre-loadable Mount for Thickness Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lock assemblies for distribution box doors face challenges in achieving a firm connection, leading to operational issues due to improper tightening or variations in door thickness.
Innovation Solution
The lock assembly incorporates a pre-loadable mount with a yoke and bent rods, along with an adjusting element that ensures the lock is securely attached to the door by pivoting and clamping, regardless of door thickness, using a threaded section and enlarged head for consistent abutment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional screws are used to connect the lock assembly to the door, then the connection can be achieved, but the connection becomes loose when door thickness varies or screws are not properly tightened
Solution Approach 1:
The mount incorporates a resilient element (spring) that allows the mounting structure to dynamically adjust to varying door thicknesses. The spring-loaded mechanism maintains constant contact pressure between the lock assembly and the door, ensuring reliable connection regardless of door thickness variations or improper screw tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element changes its compression parameter based on door thickness, automatically adjusting the mounting pressure. This parameter change allows the same mount to adapt to different door thicknesses while maintaining reliable connection force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the frame and contact portions is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the lock assembly cannot accommodate doors of different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The mount uses a spring-loaded resilient element that dynamically adjusts the distance between the frame and contact portions based on door thickness. This dynamic adjustment mechanism accommodates varying door thicknesses without requiring multiple fixed-distance mount designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient mount serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, absorbs thickness variations, maintains connection pressure, and accommodates installation tolerances. This multi-functionality allows a single mount design to work across different door thicknesses.
3Ease of operation
If screws are not properly tightened, then installation is easier, but the lock assembly becomes slack and operates improperly
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is pre-loaded with spring force before installation. This preliminary action ensures that even with minimal screw tightening, the spring maintains sufficient contact pressure to keep the lock assembly firmly connected to the door, preventing slacking and ensuring proper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded resilient element provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining constant contact pressure. This compensates for any insufficient screw tightening, ensuring the connection remains reliable without requiring precise tightening torque.
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
This solution provides a reliable and secure lock assembly that maintains proper operation by ensuring the lock is firmly connected to the door, regardless of thickness variations, through the use of a pre-loadable mount and adjusting element.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element between the frame and the contact portions
Data Source
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AI summary
A lock assembly includes a lock, a pre-loadable mount and an adjusting element. The lock includes a shell formed with two bores and a hole. The pre-loadable mount includes a yoke, two bent rods extending from the yoke, and two pivots respectively extending from the bent rods, wherein the pivots are respectively inserted in the bores. The adjusting element includes a first section inserted in the hole and a second section placed against the yoke so that the bent rods are located against a rear face of the door while a portion of the shell is placed against a front face of the door.