Integrated Locking Mechanism for Door Latch Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door locks require an additional locking member that is cumbersome to use and prone to loss, as they need an extra mechanism to secure the latch, which can be inconvenient and easily misplaced.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a housing with a latch member, a blocking member, and a locking member that allows for a simple operation without an additional locking member, where the locking member's state determines the blocking member's position, enabling the latch to be either locked or unlocked without external assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional locking member is provided to secure the latch, then the door can be locked, but the structure becomes complex and the locking member is prone to loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking member and blocking member functions into a single integrated mechanism. The blocking member serves dual purposes: it blocks the latch from moving when in the blocking position, and it acts as the locking element itself when positioned to allow latch movement. This eliminates the need for separate locking and blocking components, reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a blocking element to prevent unintended latch movement and as the primary locking mechanism. By positioning the blocking member to either block or unblock the latch path, it performs multiple functions with a single component, thereby simplifying the overall lock structure while ensuring reliable door securing.
2Reliability
If an additional locking member is used to constrain the latch, then the door remains locked, but the operation becomes troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking and blocking operations into a single action by integrating the blocking member with the latch mechanism. When the user moves the blocking member between its blocking and non-blocking positions, both the locking and unlocking functions are achieved simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate locking member operations and significantly improving ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is designed to automatically perform the locking function through its positional changes. When positioned to block the latch, it self-secures the door without requiring additional locking actions from the user. The spring mechanism also provides automatic return to the blocking position, reducing manual intervention and simplifying operation.
3Reliability
If a separate locking member is provided, then the latch can be secured, but the unlocked locking member is easy to lose and requires storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the locking function directly into the blocking member, which is a fixed component of the lock assembly. Since the blocking member is permanently mounted within the lock housing and cannot be removed, there is no separate locking member to lose. The blocking member's positional changes provide all necessary locking and unlocking functionality, eliminating the risk of component loss entirely.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock is provided, including: a housing; a latch member, movably mounted to the housing and including a first blocking portion; a blocking member, movably mounted to the housing and including a second blocking portion; a locking member, operably mounted to the housing; wherein when the locking member is in a locking state and the latch member is in a first position, the locking member and the blocking member are free of blocking from each other so that the first blocking portion and the second blocking portion are blocked with each other, and the latch member is unmovable toward a second position; when the locking member is in a unlocked state, the second blocking portion and the first blocking portion are unblocked with each other and the latch member is movable to the second position so that the latch member is retractable from a locked object.