Emergency Exit Lock Preventing Accidental Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency lock mechanisms are prone to accidental unlocking due to insensible use, lacking sufficient safety measures to prevent unintended retraction of locking bolts, which compromises security.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a spindle hub with a compressible spring, an elevating tab, and a bolt pusher apparatus that requires a specific sequence of handle rotation and pressure to retract locking bolts, ensuring secure emergency exit while preventing accidental unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the locking bolt is retracted by turning the handle in existing emergency lock mechanisms, then rapid unlocking is achieved, but accidental opening occurs due to insensible use
Solution Approach 1:
The lock requires preliminary actions (first round and second round of turning) before the emergency unlocking function becomes active. The bolt must be turned to specific positions to engage intermediate members and elevate the plate, preparing the system for rapid unlocking only after deliberate sequential operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism transitions from a static locked state through dynamic intermediate states (first round, second round) to the emergency unlocking state. The handle rotation dynamically progresses through defined positions that activate different components sequentially, making accidental activation unlikely.
2Strength
If a compressing spring is biased while locking bolts are being slided, then locking force is improved, but user must perform action against compression spring for every locking action
Solution Approach 1:
The compression spring engages periodically only during the second round of handle rotation when the emergency unlocking function is activated. During normal locking operations (first round), the spring does not interfere, allowing easy operation. The spring's periodic engagement provides strong locking force only when needed.
3Productivity
If the plate is elevated by pressing on the handle downwards, then automatic bolt retraction is achieved, but security weakness occurs due to uncontrollable unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The plate elevation mechanism is prepared in advance through the first and second rounds of handle rotation, where intermediate members are positioned and the elevating tab is engaged. The actual plate elevation and bolt retraction occur only after these preliminary steps, ensuring deliberate activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevating tab acts as an intermediary between the handle rotation and the plate elevation. The tab must be precisely engaged by the handle's rotational movement to trigger plate elevation, providing a controlled intermediate step that prevents direct or accidental plate movement.
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 lock provides a secure emergency exit mechanism that remains inactive during normal handle movement, engaging only when the handle is fully rotated, thus preventing accidental unlocking and enhancing user safety by requiring a deliberate action for bolt retraction.
Implementation Method 1
a spindle hub spring suitable to be compressed by rotation of the spindle hub
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention proposes a lock (10) for emergency exit comprising a body (20), a cylinder lock (16) located in the body (20), a bolt member (40) having at least one locking bolt (19), a plate (90), a latch bolt assembly (81) having a latch bolt (17), a spindle hub (21) for transferring movement received from the handle (15). Said lock further comprises a spindle hub spring (45) suitable to be compressed by rotation of the spindle hub (21), an elevating tab (25) protruding from the spindle hub (21), a plate pin (32) which may engage with the elevating tab (25) by rotating the spindle hub (21) in clockwise direction, and which is associated with the plate (90) and capable of elevating the plate (90) upon the release of force exerted on the spindle hub spring (45), a bolt intermediate member (31) associated with the bolt member (40), and a bolt pusher apparatus (60) for applying pressure on the bolt intermediate member (31) such that it enables retraction of the locking bolts (19) into the body (20) when the plate (90) is elevated.