Door Lock Assembly Emergency Egress via Push Button and Driver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tubular locks do not allow for external operation when locked, limiting access in emergency situations without an interior handle operation.
Innovation Solution
A lock assembly with an interior assembly featuring a push button and biasing member that can be manually moved from an unlocked to a locked position, and an exterior assembly with a driver that can be rotated from a locked to an unlocked position using a key or handle, allowing the latch to be retracted externally when in the unlocked state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock assembly is locked using the push button assembly, then security is maintained by preventing exterior handle operation, but emergency egress capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The lock assembly is divided into separate functional components: the push button assembly for locking, the driver for external operation, and the cam member that coordinates between them. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism and emergency egress mechanism to operate independently through different pathways, resolving the contradiction between security and emergency access
Solution Approach 2:
The cam member acts as an intermediary between the push button assembly and the driver. When the push button is actuated, the cam member translates this internal action into rotation of the driver, which then operates the latch. This intermediary mechanism enables the push button to control both locking and provides a mechanical pathway for emergency egress
2Reliability
If the exterior handle is made inoperable when locked, then security is improved, but access in emergency situations without interior handle operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The driver serves multiple functions: it controls the latch operation from the exterior when unlocked, it rotates in response to push button actuation to enable locking, and it can be manually rotated to provide emergency egress. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single component adaptable to different operational scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the push button to directly retract the latch for emergency egress, the system inverts the mechanism: the push button rotates the driver, and the driver's rotation is what enables latch retraction. This inverted pathway provides emergency access through the exterior assembly rather than requiring interior handle operation
Data Source
AI summary
A lock assembly that includes a push button assembly manually movable from an unlocked position to a locked position, a biasing member that biases the push button assembly toward the unlocked position, and a retaining member that engages the push button assembly and a lock member to retain the push button assembly in the locked position. The lock assembly further includes an exterior handle, a driver, and a cam member coupled to the driver for rotation with the driver. The push button assembly engages the cam member to rotate the driver toward a locked position when the push button assembly moves from the unlocked position toward the locked position and the push button assembly engages the cam member to rotate the driver toward an unlocked position when the push button moves from the locked position toward the unlocked position.