Locking Assembly With Feeler-Activated Anti-Misoperation Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking assemblies with intuitive control handles and anti-misoperation devices fail to maintain the locking rod in the unlocked position due to manipulation hardness, wear, or malfunctions, leading to potential damage and ineffective locking in the closed position.

Innovation Solution

A locking assembly with an anti-false operation device that includes a feeler, return means, braking means, and actuating means, which activate braking configuration upon opening, ensuring the locking rod remains in the unlocked position until the opening is closed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control handle has a small angular travel (intuitive type), then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the anti-misoperation device deteriorates because the minimum unlocking stroke is insufficient to activate the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A feeler element is introduced as an intermediary between the locking rod and the anti-misoperation device. The feeler extends beyond the locking rod and directly activates the anti-misoperation device, decoupling the activation mechanism from the locking rod's travel distance. This allows the anti-misoperation device to be reliably activated even when the locking rod has insufficient travel, thereby resolving the contradiction between intuitive handle operation and reliable anti-misoperation activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The feeler element is positioned to extend beyond the locking rod in advance, so that when the locking rod moves during unlocking, the feeler is the first element to engage with and activate the anti-misoperation device. This preliminary positioning ensures that the anti-misoperation device is activated before the locking rod completes its travel, even with limited angular movement of the control handle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the locking rod does not adopt the exact position necessary to activate the anti-misoperation device, then the ease of manufacture is improved (tolerance accumulation), but the reliability deteriorates because the device fails to prevent translation of the locking rod

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feeler serves as a mediator that transfers the movement of the locking rod to the anti-misoperation device with amplified effect. Even small movements of the locking rod cause the feeler to move sufficiently to activate the anti-misoperation device, eliminating the need for precise positioning of the locking rod and accommodating tolerance accumulation while maintaining reliable activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The feeler changes the geometric parameters of the activation mechanism by extending beyond the locking rod at a specific angle and position. This parameter modification allows the anti-misoperation device to be activated by smaller displacements of the locking rod, thereby maintaining reliability while accommodating manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the locking rod fails to maintain the unlocked position, then the device complexity is reduced (simpler mechanism), but the harmful factors increase because the hooks may strike the strike plates and damage the locking assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidharmful factors
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-misoperation device, activated by the feeler, applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the locking rod from translating back to the locked position when it should remain unlocked. This preliminary anti-action stops the locking rod before the hooks can strike the strike plates, preventing damage while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The feeler element, which could be seen as adding complexity, actually simplifies the overall system by providing a reliable activation mechanism that prevents harmful strikes. The feeler's extension creates a mechanical advantage that ensures the anti-misoperation device activates reliably, converting the potential harm of hook-strike contact into a beneficial preventive action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4617456A1Locking assembly for a system for closing an opening of a building and system for closing an opening of a building comprising such a locking assembly
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 FERCO
  • EP4617456A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617456A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4617456A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking assembly (4) for a closing installation (1) of an opening of a building, this locking assembly (4) comprises a locking system (5) with at least one movable locking rod (51), an anti-misoperation device (7) for slowing the passage of the locking rod (51) from its unlocking position to its locking position.This anti-misoperation device (7) comprises: - a sensor (8) movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; - means (9) for returning the sensor (8) from its retracted position to its deployed position; - means (10) for braking the passage of the locking rod (51) from its unlocking position to its locking position; - means (11) for actuating the braking means (10) to make them adopt an active braking configuration under the effect of the passage of the sensor (8) from the retracted position to the deployed position.