Lockset Safety Mechanism Preventing Unauthorized Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locksets are vulnerable to external strikes, which can cause the dial and cover plate to be knocked off, leading to unintended unlocking and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A safety locking mechanism featuring a locking push rod with a helical inclined surface, a specially-shaped hole, and a locking stopper that rotates radially when the cover plate is separated, driven by a locking compression spring, to lock the lock mechanism when the cover plate is knocked off, thereby increasing the difficulty of unlocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a through hole is provided in the door for connection line or transmission shaft, then the lockset can be mounted and operated, but the lockset becomes vulnerable to external strikes through the through hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting and operation of locksetVSAvoidvulnerability to external strikes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The safety locking mechanism is pre-configured with the locking push rod, locking stopper, and locking compression spring in a ready state. When the cover plate is knocked off, the mechanism automatically activates without requiring any action from the user, thereby preventing technical unlocking before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of external strikes (knocking off the cover plate) into a beneficial security feature. When the cover plate is removed, the locking push rod is pushed inward, triggering the locking stopper to rotate and block the locking shaft, thereby automatically enhancing security in response to the attack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If the lockset structure is simplified without safety mechanism, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but security against technical unlocking is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of locksetVSAvoidsecurity against technical unlocking
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The safety locking mechanism is nested within the existing lockset structure. The locking push rod, locking stopper, and locking compression spring are integrated into the lock body, with the locking stopper rotating on the locking shaft. This nested design adds security functionality without significantly increasing external complexity or size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking compression spring provides self-powered operation for the locking mechanism. When the cover plate is knocked off, the spring automatically pushes the locking push rod inward, which in turn rotates the locking stopper to block the locking shaft. The entire safety locking action is self-activating without requiring external power sources or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 mechanism significantly enhances lockset safety by preventing unauthorized access and maintaining security even when the cover plate is removed, while maintaining a simple and ingenious design.

Implementation Method 1

the locking compression spring is mounted between the direction-limiting shaft and a bottom end of the direction-limiting groove in a compressed manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the locking compression spring is mounted between the direction-limiting shaft and a bottom end of the direction-limiting groove in a compressed manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

the cylindrical rod is provided with a helical inclined surface at a position close to the direction-limiting shaft, the helical inclined surface protruding from the cylindrical rod and axially extending along the cylindrical rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical inclined surface: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP3147431B1Lockset comprising a safety locking mechanism
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 MIN HAO
  • EP3147431B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3147431B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3-2
  • EP3147431B1 patent drawingFigure 4~4-2

AI summary

A safety locking mechanism for a lockset is provided, the lockset including a cover plate (8), a support plate (9), and a lock body (10). The safety locking mechanism includes a locking push rod (1), a locking stopper (2), and a locking compression spring (3). The locking push rod (1) includes a direction-limiting shaft (4) and a cylindrical rod (6), where the direction-limiting shaft (4) is mounted at one end of the cylindrical rod (6) and the other end of the cylindrical rod (6) passes through the support plate (9) and presses against the cover plate (8). The locking stopper (2) is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical rod (6) and has a front end and a back end being close against the support plate (9) and the lock body (10) respectively. The lock body (10) is provided with a direction-limiting groove. The direction-limiting shaft (4) is mounted in the direction-limiting groove. The locking compression spring (3) is mounted between the direction-limiting shaft (4) and a bottom end of the direction-limiting groove in a compressed manner. Thus, the difficulty of technical unlocking is greatly increased and the safety of the lockset is improved.