Lock with L-Shaped Drive Rods for Simplified Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks, particularly mortise locks for windows and French doors, are complex in construction and costly to manufacture due to intricate mechanisms for driving rods and high risk of incorrect assembly.
Innovation Solution
A simplified lock design that eliminates the need for teeth on the follower to drive connecting rods, allowing easy assembly and reducing structural complexity, with a torsion spring mechanism to ensure correct alignment and a central latch retraction lever for straightforward locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a follower with rows of teeth is used to drive connecting rods, then the locking device can be actuated, but the structural complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex rows of teeth from the follower structure entirely. Instead of using a toothed follower to drive the connecting rods, the invention uses a simple lever mechanism where the connecting rods are directly actuated by the movement of the follower body itself, eliminating the need for intricate toothed engagements while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than having the follower drive the connecting rods through complex toothed mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by having the connecting rods follow the simple linear movement of the follower body. The drive rods with L-shaped configurations directly translate the follower's movement into rod actuation without requiring the follower to have driving teeth.
2Ease of operation
If complex toothed mechanisms are used in the follower, then the connecting rods can be driven, but the risk of incorrect assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driving function into separate L-shaped drive rods that independently guide the connecting rods. Each drive rod has a specific L-shaped configuration that naturally guides the connecting rod along the correct path, making assembly foolproof. The simplified follower body without teeth further reduces assembly complexity by eliminating multiple tooth engagement points that could be incorrectly assembled.
3Reliability
If additional auxiliary locks are installed to achieve proper locking, then the locking function is complete, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single locking device universal by designing it to handle all locking requirements through the L-shaped drive rods. The connecting rods are configured to engage with the lock mechanism in a way that provides complete locking functionality without requiring additional auxiliary locks. The L-shaped drive rods act as multi-functional elements that simultaneously guide the connecting rods and provide the necessary mechanical advantage for secure locking.
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 results in a cost-effective, stable, and easy-to-assemble lock with reduced risk of incorrect assembly, capable of locking without additional auxiliary locks and maintaining high stability, while ensuring smooth operation and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring with two legs projecting onto the follower is held in the lock case and if each of the legs rests against a flank of the follower
Data Source
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AI summary
The lock has a catch pre-stressed in a lock case (1), and a pushing latch (3) pivotable in two directions. The latch is designed to unlock a control device (10) in one of the directions, and lock the control device in the other direction. The control device has two levers (11, 12) supported in the case, where each of the levers is coupled directly or indirectly with two connecting rods (8, 9) of the control device. A slider (13) movable by the latch has bearing points at the levers, where the lock case is made of plastic.