Fireproof Door Lock Using High-Melting-Point Ferrous Chassis

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional door locks made from low-melting-point metals or alloys fail to effectively prevent the spread of fire as they melt under high temperatures, allowing flames and smoke to pass through the door, thus providing inadequate fire resistance.

Innovation Solution

A door lock design utilizing ferrous materials or stainless steel for the inner and outer chassis, mounting seats, fixing members, and operating units, which maintain structural integrity and closure of the door hole even when components melt, using grooves and springs to ensure the latch device operates effectively and prevents fire spread.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If low-melting-point metals or alloys are used for door lock components, then ease of manufacture is improved, but fire resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidfire resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different materials for different parts of the door lock. The chassis and fixing members use high-melting-point ferrous materials for fire resistance, while mounting seats and operating units use low-melting-point zinc alloys for ease of manufacture. This localized material differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and fire resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining ferrous materials (high-melting-point) and zinc alloys (low-melting-point) within a single door lock system. This composite approach allows the lock to achieve both fire resistance from the ferrous components and ease of manufacture from the zinc alloy components, directly resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high-melting-point ferrous materials are used for door lock components, then fire resistance is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different materials for different parts of the door lock. The chassis and fixing members use high-melting-point ferrous materials for fire resistance, while mounting seats and operating units use low-melting-point zinc alloys for ease of manufacture. This localized material differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and fire resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining ferrous materials (high-melting-point) and zinc alloys (low-melting-point) within a single door lock system. This composite approach allows the lock to achieve both fire resistance from the ferrous components and ease of manufacture from the zinc alloy components, directly resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If the door lock is designed with multiple components, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating multiple functional components (chassis, mounting seats, fixing members, operating units) into a unified door lock assembly where all components work together to provide comprehensive fire resistance and locking functionality. This merging approach maintains high functionality while managing complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing components that serve multiple functions. For example, the chassis provides both structural support and fire resistance, while the mounting seats facilitate both assembly and maintain fireproof sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11753848B2Door lock with reinforced fireproof function

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 I TEK METAL MFG

AI summary

A door lock with a reinforced fireproof effect includes a lock body mounted on a door and inner and outer operating units mounted to two sides of the door, respectively. The lock body includes inner and outer chassis made of ferrous material or stainless steel having a melting point higher than 1300° C. Inner and outer fixing members coupled with the inner and outer chassis are also made of ferrous material or stainless steel. Thus, these components of the door lock are less likely to melt during a fire, reducing the spreading speed of the fire.