Insect Proof Door Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Insect protection doors often unintentionally open due to slight bumps, drafts, or other external factors, compromising their effectiveness in keeping insects out.

Innovation Solution

A manually longitudinally movable carriage with a locking element is integrated into the groove of the insect protection door's rung profile, allowing for secure locking of the sash frame in the closed position, preventing unintentional opening. The carriage is designed to be displaceable between a release and locking position, ensuring the sash frame remains secured without protruding significantly, allowing for easy manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking device is added to prevent unintentional opening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unintentional openingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage is nested within the longitudinal groove of the rung profile, with the locking element integrated into the carriage structure. The entire locking mechanism is contained within the existing groove space, avoiding external protrusions and minimizing additional structural requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is segmented into distinct functional components: the carriage that moves along the groove, the locking element that engages with the frame, and the handle section that enables user operation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a locking device is added to prevent unintentional opening, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unintentional openingVSAvoidmanual operation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic elements provide automatic engagement between the carriage and the frame when the door is closed, eliminating the need for manual locking actions. The user simply needs to close the door, and the magnetic force automatically secures the locking element in the engaged position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The groove is undercut only at the specific location where the carriage needs to be retained, rather than throughout its entire length. This localized undercutting provides the necessary retention function while maintaining a smooth profile elsewhere, facilitating easy manual movement of the carriage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the carriage is made protruding to enable manual operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the door profile width increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual operation accessibilityVSAvoiddoor profile width
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage is completely nested within the longitudinal groove of the rung profile, with no protruding portions extending beyond the door frame. The handle section is formed by the undercut portion of the groove itself, allowing manual operation without adding external protrusions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The functional elements of the carriage (locking element, handle section, and retention features) are merged into a single integrated component that fits within the groove. This eliminates the need for separate protruding parts and maintains a sleek, narrow door profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents unintentional opening of the insect protection door, maintaining its functionality while maintaining a narrow profile that can be integrated with other door systems, such as roller blinds, without compromising the door's width or visibility.

Implementation Method 1

a locking element, which can also be moved linearly via the slide. The locking element on the sash frame side is assigned a corresponding element receptacle on the mounting or frame side, into which the locking element is inserted when it is moved from the release position to the locking position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

In the closed position, such a frame can be easily secured, for example, using magnetic elements provided on the sash and the mounting or cover frame, which interact with each other in the closed position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

the groove is undercut on at least one side... If such grooves are provided on both sides, they are offset in height from one another, meaning they can be recessed into the profile... The respective undercut also serves as a handle section that the operator can grasp to manually move the sash frame.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3715578B1Insect proof door
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 LAMMERMANN GERD
  • EP3715578B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3715578B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3715578B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Insect screen door comprising a rectangular sash frame (4) made of several frame profiles (9, 10, 11, 12), wherein a horizontally extending mullion profile (15) extends between two vertical frame profiles (10, 12), wherein the mullion profile (15) has a longitudinal groove (18, 20) on at least one side, which is undercut on at least one side, wherein a manually longitudinally displaceable slide (23) with a locking element (26) arranged thereon is received in the groove (18, 20) and is displaceable between a release position in which the locking element (26) is disengaged from an element receptacle (29) provided on a mounting or frame (2) on which the sash frame is pivotally mounted in the mounting position, and a locking position in which the locking element (26) engages in the element receptacle (29).