Latch Lock Without Bolt Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locks require cavities on the door frame for latch and bolt mechanisms, leading to increased production, storage, and transportation costs, as well as reduced economic life due to the lever's moment applied when the latch extends fully, and necessitate multiple screws for assembly, which raises labor and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a latch with a coupling element and a lever that moves perpendicular to the latch's direction, allowing for locking without a bolt and adaptable to various wing-frame gap distances, eliminating the need for cavities on the door frame and reducing assembly requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch and bolt mechanism is used for door locking, then the locking function is improved, but the lock size increases and production, storage and transportation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the bolt element from the traditional latch-bolt mechanism, retaining only the latch component. This reduction in components directly decreases the lock size and associated costs while maintaining the essential locking function through the latch alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both the primary locking mechanism and the means for securing the door wing to the frame through its interaction with the recess. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate bolt, reducing overall lock size.
2Ease of manufacture
If cavities are formed on the door frame for latch and bolt, then the locking mechanism can be installed, but production time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the requirement for separate bolt cavities in the door frame by removing the bolt component entirely. The latch interacts directly with a single recess in the frame, significantly reducing the precision requirements and preparation time needed during frame manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the frame preparation from requiring multiple precise cavities (for latch and bolt) to requiring only a single recess. This parameter change reduces manufacturing complexity and time while maintaining installation functionality.
3Length of moving object
If the latch extends fully from the lock body to provide locking, then the locking reach is maximized, but the moment applied onto the latch increases and economic life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the latch extension distance to vary based on the door wing gap. The latch can extend to different positions along its travel range, optimizing the balance between reaching the frame and minimizing the moment arm, thereby extending the lock's economic life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the latch extension parameter to be adjusted according to the specific installation conditions (door gap distance). By optimizing this parameter, the system achieves sufficient locking reach while minimizing the moment applied to the latch, thus extending its service life.
4Reliability
If a latch bolt plate is mounted onto the frame using 3 or more screws, then the assembly is secured, but assembly costs increase with labor and material expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the latch bolt plate component entirely, removing the need for multiple screws and associated assembly operations. The latch interacts directly with the recess in the frame, simplifying the assembly process and reducing both material and labor costs while maintaining secure attachment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention proposes a lock comprising a latch (50), a larch coupling element (58) provided on the latch (50), a lever (46) sized and shaped to have a movement range in a direction (+y/-y) perpendicular the movement direction (+x/-x) of the latch; the lever (46) comprising a lever coupling element (63) sized and shaped to delimit movement of the latch (50) by coupling with a latch coupling element (58) on the latch at a locking position.