Illuminated Thumb Turn Assembly for Low-Light Lock Status Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locksets do not provide a reliable visual indication of their status in low-light conditions, requiring users to take additional actions like activating overhead lights to determine the lock's status.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical system into the lockset's trim assembly that includes a thumb turn assembly with a light diffuser and light pipe, which transmits illumination to visually indicate the lock's locked or unlocked status through a window, enhancing visibility in various ambient light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If no optical system is added to the lockset, then the device complexity remains low, but the visibility of lock status in low-light conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical system comprising a light source, light guide, and diffuser as intermediary components between the lock mechanism and the user. The light guide transmits illumination from the source to the thumb turn, and the diffuser scatters the light to create visible indication, thereby mediating the communication of lock status without requiring direct integration of complex display technology
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system utilizes changes in light transmission and scattering properties to indicate different lock states. The diffuser material and light guide are configured to transmit illumination in a manner that creates visible contrast between locked and unlocked states, effectively using optical property changes rather than complex electronic indicators
2Ease of operation
If users must activate overhead lights to see lock status, then additional lighting can provide visibility, but it requires secondary actions that reduce ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lockset's optical system is configured to automatically provide visibility of the lock status without requiring user intervention to activate additional lighting. The thumb turn assembly itself serves as the illumination source when in certain positions, or the system automatically activates indicators, allowing users to determine lock status immediately upon approaching the device without performing secondary actions
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is pre-configured to provide visible indication of lock status before the user needs to check it. The illumination system is designed to be continuously operational or automatically activate upon detection of user presence, so that when the user approaches the lockset, the status is already visible and no additional time is required to determine the locked or unlocked state
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
Enables users to identify the lockset's status from a distance without additional lighting, minimizing the need for secondary actions and improving usability in low-light environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system that can be coupled to the thumb turn body. At least a portion of the optical system can be displaced with the displacement of the thumb turn body. Further, the optical system can be configured to transmit an illumination from or through the thumb turn body
Implementation Method 2
The optical system can include a light diffuser and a light pipe, the light diffuser and the light pipe being coupled to, and rotatably displaceable with, the thumb turn body
Data Source
AI summary
A thumb turn assembly that is configured to provide an illuminated visual indication of an orientation of a thumb turn, and thus an illuminated indication of an active status relating lockset relating to an associated bolt being in a locked or unlocked position. The thumb turn assembly can include an optical system that can be coupled to the thumb turn body. At least a portion of the optical system can be displaced with the displacement of the thumb turn body. The optical system can be configured to transmit an illumination from or through the thumb turn body to visually communicate the indication of the orientation of the thumb turn, and thus the locked or unlocked position of the bolt.