Hinged Panel Locking Arrangement with Arming Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking arrangements for hinged panels, such as doors and windows, face challenges in providing adequate security, intuitive operation, and preventing improper operation, especially in emergency situations, with multiple lock-points and latch components often requiring complex handling and lacking clear differentiation between active and inactive panels.
Innovation Solution
A locking arrangement that utilizes a lock-point arming input element connected to a handle-operated control element, allowing movement of lock-points from unlocked to locked positions only when the arming input element is in the armed position, and includes features like thumb-turns or keyed cylinders to prevent inadvertent movement and ensure proper panel alignment, enabling secure and intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple lock-points and latch components are used to provide adequate security, then security against forcible entry is improved, but the complexity of operation increases and intuitive operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lock-points (dead-bolt, shoot-bolts, locking tongues) and latch mechanism into a single integrated locking arrangement that is controlled by one or two input elements (handles, thumb-turns, or keyed lock cylinders), allowing all components to be operated simultaneously through a single action rather than requiring separate manipulation of each component
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arrangement is designed so that a single input element controls multiple functions including the latch mechanism and multiple lock-points, allowing one handle or thumb-turn to simultaneously engage or disengage all security components, providing universal control across the entire locking system
2Reliability
If multiple separately operable lock-points are used in inactive panels, then security is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent connects multiple lock-points in the inactive panel to a centrally operable actuation handle, so that a single handle controls all lock-points simultaneously, eliminating the need for separately operable components and reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining security
3Ease of operation
If lock-points can be operated without proper panel alignment, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of damage to locking arrangement and panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arrangement is designed so that proper panel alignment must be achieved before the lock-points can be engaged, with the mechanical geometry of the locking components ensuring that the panels are correctly positioned relative to each other and to the frame before the locking action can occur, preventing damage from misalignment
Data Source
AI summary
An intuitively operable door locking arrangement and a method include, a lock-point arming input element that is connected directly to a handle-operated control element of the locking arrangement, rather than being connected directly to a lock-point of the door locking arrangement. The locking arrangement and method may be used in hinged single or multiple-panel installations, having single, and/or multiple lock-points, may allow keyless locking from outside, and may include a latching arrangement. In active door locking apparatuses, the lock-point is movable only through operation of the handle-operated control element. The lock point arming element is selectively moveable between an armed and a disarmed position thereof, and is configured and connected to the handle-operated control element in such a manner that the handle-operated control element may be used to move the lock-point to the locked position thereof only when the lock-point arming input element is in the armed position thereof.