Espagnolette Lock Monolithic Shaft and Securement Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing espagnolette locks are complex and cumbersome due to the need for multiple individual components and multiple assembly steps, which complicates both manufacturing and installation.
Innovation Solution
The tongue and actuating shaft are monolithically formed, and a securement element is used to fix the housing to the door or shutter, reducing the number of components to three and simplifying assembly by integrating the securement and fixation in two steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the espagnolette lock is assembled from multiple individual components (housing, actuating shaft, tongue, fastening nut, screw), then each component can be manufactured independently, but the assembly process becomes complicated and requires multiple mounting steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuating shaft and tongue into a single monolithic component, reducing the total number of parts. Additionally, the housing integrates the mounting function directly, eliminating the need for separate fastening nuts and screws. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining independent manufacturability of the combined components.
2Strength
If the housing is secured using a fastening nut threaded onto an external thread, then the housing can be firmly fixed on the door panel, but the mounting process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex threading and fastening mechanisms (external threads, fastening nuts, screws) from the mounting process. Instead, it uses a simplified securement element with a resilient projection that inserts directly into the housing and engages with the door panel, achieving firm fixation without time-consuming threading operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual components are used in the espagnolette lock, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall device becomes more complex and harder to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuating shaft and tongue into one component, and integrates mounting features directly into the housing. This reduces the number of parts from five or more to just three main components (housing with integrated mounting, actuating shaft with tongue, and securement element), significantly easing assembly while preserving the ability to optimize each combined component for its specific function.
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
This design reduces the complexity of manufacturing and assembly, facilitates reliable fixation, and allows for compensation of varying panel thicknesses and tolerances, while ensuring secure and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
the securement element can in particular be supported against the door panel or the shutter via a resiliently configured projection or shoulder, thereby biasing the housing against the door panel or the shutter
Data Source
AI summary
An espagnolette lock for a door or shutter. An actuating shaft can be rotatably mounted within the interior of a housing and can be coupled with a lock-actuator. The actuating shaft is monolithically formed with a tongue. A securement mechanism is configured for insertion into the housing parallel to the plane of a door panel or of the shutter for fixing the housing in position on the door panel or shutter. The securement mechanism is further configured for being supported against the door panel or shutter. When a mounting of the espagnolette lock is completed, the securement mechanism is configured to engage the actuating shaft to thereby secure and fix the actuating shaft in position in the housing.