Emergency Lock Inner Square Mechanism Anti-Burglary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional emergency locks that can be unlocked from the inside are often complex, expensive to industrialize, and lack anti-burglary guarantees, making them vulnerable to tampering by individuals outside, which compromises their functionality for individuals inside the secured space.

Innovation Solution

An emergency lock design featuring a bolt movable between locked and unlocked positions through rotational actuation of an inner square, with an independent outer square rotation, incorporating a driver, indexing follower, and fork mechanism that ensures the bolt can be unlocked from the inside while resisting outward pulling forces, providing anti-burglary security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a complex internal unlocking mechanism is used to enable emergency unlocking from inside, then the lock can be unlocked from the inside, but the complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency unlocking from insideVSAvoidinternal unlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is divided into independent functional components: the inner square for emergency unlocking, the outer square for key operation, and the bolt assembly. The indexing follower segments the motion control, allowing the inner square to independently actuate the bolt without affecting the outer square's key-operated function. This segmentation enables simple emergency unlocking while maintaining overall system security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indexing follower acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inner square and the bolt. When the inner square rotates, the indexing follower translates this rotation into controlled bolt movement. This intermediary simplifies the direct connection between the inner square and bolt, reducing the complexity of the unlocking mechanism while ensuring reliable emergency egress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the emergency release mechanism is made accessible from outside, then emergency unlocking is possible, but burglary resistance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency unlockingVSAvoidburglary tampering
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lock separates emergency unlocking functionality from key-operated functionality through distinct operational interfaces. The inner square provides emergency unlocking accessible only from inside the secured space, while the outer square with key cylinder handles security control from outside. This spatial segmentation ensures that emergency release cannot be accessed or tampered with from outside, maintaining burglary resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner square is designed to be operable only from the inside of the secured space, allowing occupants to independently initiate emergency unlocking without external intervention. This self-service capability ensures that emergency egress remains under the control of those inside the space, preventing external parties from disabling the emergency release mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lock is designed to be reversible for different door orientations, then installation flexibility increases, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversible installationVSAvoidreversible mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock components are designed with asymmetric features that allow reversible installation. The inner square and outer square have asymmetric drive mechanisms that can be oriented to match either left-handed or right-handed door configurations. The indexing follower and bolt assembly incorporate asymmetric engagement surfaces that automatically adjust based on installation orientation, enabling universal applicability without increasing internal mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The lock mechanism is designed as a universal system that can accommodate different door orientations and configurations. The inner square, outer square, and bolt assembly work together in a standardized configuration that can be installed on either side of a door. This universal design allows a single lock model to serve multiple installation scenarios without requiring complex adjustable components.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3708747B1Emergency lock suitable for being unlocked from the inside
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 ETAB THIRARD
  • EP3708747B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3708747B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3708747B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes an emergency lock adapted to be unlocked from the inside, comprising: - a bolt (60) adapted to be moved between a locked and an unlocked position, - an inner square (10) and an outer square (50) that are rotatable about a first axis (X1), the rotation of the outer square (50) being independent of the rotation of the inner square (10), - a drive (20) fixed to the rotating inner square (10), - an indexing follower (30, 110) fixed to the rotating drive (20), - a fork (40) fixed to the rotating indexing follower (30, 110) and articulated with respect to the bolt (60) such that a rotation of the inner square (10) causes the bolt (60) to move between the locked and unlocked positions. The invention also describes a door incorporating such a lock.