Lock Latch Adjustment via Polygon Socket Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks face challenges in easy rearrangement and reliable latch security against unintentional release, often requiring tools for adjustment and being prone to accidental latch separation during installation.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a handle nut with support and setting nut halves having aligned internal polygonal edges, where the support nut rests against a stop in the basic position, allowing the latch to be securely held until the handle is pulled out, at which point the connection is released, enabling easy adjustment and replacement without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the latch is securely held in the recess by the stop and support nut half, then the latch is protected against unintentional release, but the latch cannot be easily adjusted or replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the handle follower and latch is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The polygon socket in the handle follower engages with the polygon on the latch tail, creating a form-fit connection that is secure during normal operation but can be easily disengaged by pulling the handle follower out of the recess. This allows the latch to be reliably held during use while enabling easy adjustment and replacement when needed.
2Manufacturing precision
If the adjusting screw is used to limit latch movement range, then the latch position can be controlled, but the adjusting screw can loosen and the latch can move out of the lock by itself
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting mechanism is segmented into two separate nut halves (support nut half and adjusting nut half) that can be independently positioned and secured. The support nut half provides a fixed reference position against the stop, while the adjusting nut half can be rotated to precisely control the latch tail position. This segmentation eliminates the loosening problem of a single adjusting screw by providing a more stable, distributed adjustment mechanism.
3Reliability
If the stop is arranged on a lever on the opposite side of the lock case, then the stop is protected from accidental adjustment, but the lever is not accessible when the lock is installed in a door
Solution Approach 1:
The polygon socket in the handle follower acts as an intermediary mechanism. During normal operation, the polygon socket engages with the polygon on the latch tail, and the handle follower is held in place by the support nut half resting against the stop. This provides protection against accidental adjustment while maintaining accessibility. When adjustment is needed, the handle follower can be pulled out, the polygon connection is released, and the latch can be easily adjusted from the accessible side.
Data Source
Figure 1~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The lock comprises a lock case, which has a latch (3), and a latch spring for prestressing the latch from the lock case. A latch tail of the latch is arranged in the lock case. A latch key is provided for retracting the latch into the lock case. The latch key comprises a support nut half (22) and an adjusting nut half (9) with mutually aligned internal polygon edges.