Flush Bolt Automatic Bypass for Door Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door locking systems with automatic lockbolts face challenges in misalignment issues, where the bolt fails to engage properly due to lack of recess or incorrect recess placement, leading to incomplete locking.

Innovation Solution

An automatically operable lockbolt with a bridging mechanism that prevents complete lowering into a misaligned locking position, utilizing a displacement element and return spring to maintain the bolt's position and return it to the starting position, ensuring secure locking even in misalignment scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the locking bolt is designed to automatically lower into the locking position, then the locking operation is automated and simplified, but misalignment issues occur when the locking recess is missing or incorrectly placed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic locking operationVSAvoidlocking reliability under misalignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking bolt is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be displaced relative to the displacement element along its longitudinal axis. This displaceability enables the bolt to automatically bridge the actuating mechanism when misalignment is detected, preventing incomplete locking while maintaining automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking bolt automatically detects misalignment conditions and self-adjusts by bridging the actuating mechanism without external intervention. The system uses its own movement capabilities to sense the absence or incorrect placement of the locking recess and prevents engagement accordingly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a bridging mechanism is added to prevent complete lowering in misalignment cases, then locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliability under misalignmentVSAvoidactuating mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bridging function is merged with the existing displacement element and locking bolt assembly. The displacement element serves dual purposes: it actuates the locking bolt during normal operation and simultaneously provides the bridging function when misalignment is detected, eliminating the need for separate bridging components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement element is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both the actuation of the locking bolt and the detection/bridging of misalignment conditions. This universal component approach reduces overall device complexity while maintaining improved reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the locking bolt is made displaceable relative to the displacement element, then misalignment bridging is enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to misalignmentVSAvoidalignment precision between bolt and displacement element
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the positional parameter of the locking bolt relative to the displacement element, allowing controlled displacement along the longitudinal axis. This parameter change enables the bolt to adjust its position to bridge misalignment while maintaining manageable manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures reliable locking by preventing the bolt from fully lowering into a misaligned recess, maintaining security and ease of assembly, while allowing for use with various door seal types and minimizing the overall size of the lockbolt for design flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a return spring for returning the locking bolt from the locking position to the starting position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring restoring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The locking bolt is thus lowered when the displacement element moves downwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical displacement: Displacement

Data Source

PatentEP3071767B1Edge bolt and door sealing system
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 ASSA ABLOY (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3071767B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3071767B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3071767B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a flush bolt that can be automatically actuated comprising a fastening rail (4) for fastening the flush bolt in or on a door leaf, an actuating mechanism (5), and a locking bolt (6) having a longitudinal center axis (a). The actuating mechanism (5) comprises a triggering element (50) for automatically displacing the locking bolt (6) from an initial position to a locking position and a return spring (55) for returning the locking bolt (6) from the locking position to the initial position. The flush bolt has automatic bypassing, which automatically bypasses the actuating mechanism in the event of misalignment of the locking bolt (6) in order to prevent complete lowering of the locking bolt (6) into the locking position. The actuating mechanism also has a displacing element (52), on which the locking bolt (6) lies by means of an entraining element (8), wherein the locking bolt (6) can be brought into the locking position by movement of the displacing element (52) and wherein the displacing element (52) can be brought into the initial position together with the entraining element (8) lying thereon and the locking bolt (6) by means of the return spring (55). The locking bolt (6) can be displaced together with the entraining element (8) in relation to the displacing element (52) in the direction of the longitudinal center axis (a), wherein the bypassing occurs by means of this displacement capability. Said flush bolt can be employed in particular for use together with a drop-down seal.