Drive Rod Fitting Locking Mechanism for Building Closure Retrofitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building locking systems lack a high level of security and versatility, particularly in retrofitting, as they do not provide reliable locking mechanisms that can be easily integrated into conventional frame elements without reinforcement.

Innovation Solution

A drive rod fitting with a locking device that couples directly to the faceplate and frame element, allowing for secure locking and release settings, enabling reliable locking and easy retrofitting by fixing the drive rod with respect to the faceplate, and allowing displacement only when a central control sets the release setting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking device directly couples the drive rod to the faceplate rail, then security and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element is integrated within the drive rod fitting assembly, with the locking device nested inside the housing that is attached to the faceplate rail. This nested configuration allows the locking mechanism to be compact and integrated without requiring separate external components, thereby improving reliability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking element acts as an intermediary component that directly couples the drive rod to the faceplate rail through the housing. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable direct coupling while simplifying the overall structure by using a dedicated locking component rather than a complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the drive rod fitting is designed for easy retrofitting onto conventional frame elements, then ease of manufacture and installation are improved, but locking strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrofitting easeVSAvoidlocking strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The housing of the locking device is designed with a universal attachment mechanism that can be mounted onto conventional frame elements without requiring frame reinforcement. This universal design allows the locking device to be retrofitted easily while maintaining adequate locking strength through the direct coupling of the locking element to the drive rod and faceplate rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If the locking device directly couples the drive rod to the faceplate rail, then the force transmission is improved, but the drive rod displacement control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmissionVSAvoiddisplacement control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element is designed to be displaceable within the housing, allowing it to dynamically transition between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic configuration enables direct force transmission when locked while maintaining simple displacement control through the natural movement of the locking element along the drive rod, without requiring complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3511497B1Connecting rod fitting for a building closure element, corresponding building closure element and method for operating a connecting rod fitting and method for mounting a connecting rod fitting
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 ROTO FRANK FENSTER UND TUERTECH GMBH
  • EP3511497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3511497B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive rod fitting (1) for a building locking element, which has at least one drive rod (2) that can be linearly displaceable on a frame element of the building locking element, and a faceplate rail (3) that can be attached to the frame element and covers the drive rod (2), wherein the drive rod (2) can be fixed relative to the frame element by means of a locking device (7). It is provided that, in a locking position, the locking device (7) directly couples the drive rod (2) to the faceplate rail (3) and fixes it relative to the frame element, and in a release position, releases the drive rod (2) for displacement relative to the faceplate rail (3). The invention further relates to a building locking element with a drive rod fitting (1), a method for operating a drive rod fitting (1), and a method for mounting a drive rod fitting (1).