Exit Door Wing with Directional Locking Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exit doors in public places, such as buses and supermarkets, lack effective mechanisms to prevent unauthorized entry from the outside, as they remain open for exit purposes without adequate security measures to control intrusions.

Innovation Solution

An exit door wing with a lever system and directional locking unit, featuring a hinge, rotatable shaft, and elastic element, which is initially locked but can be opened by user-operated force, ensuring secure operation and easy installation in various public settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the exit door remains open to allow regular exit, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized entry deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of exitVSAvoidunauthorized entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The door wing employs a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states based on operational needs. The elastic element and lever system enable the door to be securely locked during normal operation while allowing rapid unlocking when exit is required, thus maintaining both security and ease of operation through state changes rather than fixed configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element automatically returns the door wing to the locked position after use, and the lever system is designed to be operated by users without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. The mechanism self-regulates its state based on user interaction, providing both security and ease of operation through automatic state management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized entry, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized entryVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism integrates the elastic element, lever system, and door wing into a unified structure where components serve multiple functions. The lever both unlocks the door and compresses the elastic element, while the hinge serves as both a pivot point and a mounting structure, reducing overall complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element acts as an intermediary between the lever system and the door wing, mediating the force transmission and enabling the locking/unlocking action without requiring complex mechanical linkages. This simple elastic mediator reduces structural complexity while maintaining effective locking functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a complex locking system is installed to ensure security, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into distinct modular components: the hinge, the elastic element, the lever system, and the door wing. Each component can be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes, and then assembled together through the fixed pivoting axis and hinge connections, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining security effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components such as standard hinges, elastic elements, and lever arms that can be manufactured with basic tools and materials. These components are designed for easy replacement if needed, reducing manufacturing costs and installation complexity while providing reliable security functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution effectively prevents unauthorized entry while allowing regular exit, providing a secure, easy-to-install, and cost-effective solution for controlling access in public places, including moving vehicles and crowded commercial spaces.

Implementation Method 1

said shaft and said hinge being disconnected freely only as a consequence of an elastic deformation of said elastic element by way of the action of a force applied by said lever system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1978203B1Exit door wing for public places and the like
Publication Date: 2010.03.17 ATC SPA
  • EP1978203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1978203B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1978203B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An exit door wing (1) for public places and the like, of the type that comprises a door wing proper (2), associated with a respective opening of the installation space by way of a fixed pivoting axis which is arranged substantially at one of its perimetric edges. The door wing (1) also comprises a directional locking unit (3), which is associated with the pivoting axis and is controlled by a lever system (2a) which can be operated by a user. The unit (3) comprises a hinge (4) which is fixed to one edge of the opening, a rotatable shaft (5) which is rigidly coupled to the door wing (2) and is pivoted on the hinge (4), and an elastic element (6), which is substantially rigidly coupled to a portion (7) of the shaft (5) and to a part of the hinge (4) which faces the portion (7) and is proximate thereto. The elastic element (6) interferes with the shaft (5) and the hinge (4) in the inactive condition, preventing mutual movements. The shaft (5) and the hinge (4) are disconnected freely only as a consequence of an elastic deformation of the element (6) by way of the action of a force applied by the lever system (2a), actuated by a user, on the element (6).