Espagnolette Lever Gear Decoupling for Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lever mechanisms for double-leaf window or door connecting rod fittings without a mullion face assembly and transport difficulties due to the operating lever protruding and requiring a rotationally open position, leading to assembly and transport challenges.
Innovation Solution
A lever mechanism where the operating lever can be decoupled from the drive rod in the delivery position, allowing for parallel alignment and easy assembly and transport, with a connecting lever that engages with a counter-element to establish a permanent drive connection upon actuation, utilizing a spring element and latching mechanism for secure engagement, and a magnet to maintain the closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drive rod is in the rotationally open position during assembly, then the connecting rod does not collide with other fittings, but the operating lever protrudes from the face plate level leading to transport difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the operating lever and drive rod is segmented into two distinct states: a decoupled delivery position for transport and a coupled drive connection for operation. The connecting lever acts as an intermediary that can be positioned in different locations (first position for coupling, second position for decoupling), allowing the system to be divided into independent functional segments during transport while maintaining integrated function during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static connected state to a dynamic state where the connecting lever can be repositioned. The operating lever is designed to automatically move the connecting lever between positions based on whether the drive rod is in the open or closed position, creating a dynamic adaptation that resolves the contradiction between assembly requirements and transport requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If the operating lever is decoupled from the drive rod in the delivery position, then the drive rod remains in the rotationally open position for easy assembly, but the drive connection must be established after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to automatically establish the drive connection through self-service mechanisms. When the operating lever is actuated after installation, it automatically moves the connecting lever from the decoupled position to the coupled position, engaging the bearing pin with the slot and pocket without requiring manual intervention. The spring element provides automatic resetting functionality, and the latching element ensures automatic securing of the connection.
3Reliability
If the connecting lever is used to transmit power from the operating lever to the connecting rod, then the drive connection is established, but the connecting lever protrudes beyond the operating lever posing a risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful protruding portion (the end of the connecting lever beyond the operating lever) is extracted or removed from the system. This is achieved by designing the connecting lever to be fully contained within the operating lever when in the coupled position, or by providing a protective cover that encloses the connecting lever, thereby eliminating the injury risk while preserving the drive connection functionality.
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
Facilitates easy assembly and transport by ensuring the drive rod remains in a rotationally open position during installation and transport, while maintaining a permanent drive connection after actuation, preventing unintentional disengagement and ensuring secure operation.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting lever has a spring element on the first bearing, which prestresses the connecting lever in the direction of the counter-element on the connecting rod side or the connecting rod
Implementation Method 2
a magnet to maintain the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Lever axle gear has connection between operating lever (20) and guard rail (17) which is decoupled at stationery fulcrum (21) or between operating lever and connecting lever (40) at first bearing (41) or between the connecting lever and connecting rod (16) at second bearing. The operating lever does not stay in drive connection with the connecting rod. The connection between the operating lever and the guard rail is made by actuating the operating lever at the stationery fulcrum or between the operating lever and the connecting lever at the first bearing or between the connecting lever and the connecting rod at the second bearing, so that the operating lever stays in drive connection with the connecting rod.