Modular cylindrical lockset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cylindrical locksets require separate inventorying of different chassis formats for various functions, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing and installation.

Innovation Solution

A modular component system with a common platform and interchangeable peripheral components allows for changing lockset functions without disassembly, using a chassis assembly and inside drive assembly with interchangeable components to configure specific features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate chassis configurations are used for different lockset functions, then each function can be reliably implemented, but inventory requirements and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction-specific performanceVSAvoidinventory and manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis assembly is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple lockset functions (passage, exit, locked, and other specialized functions) through interchangeable peripheral components. The common platform includes a chassis assembly and inside drive assembly that remain the same across different functions, while only the outside drive assembly and peripheral components vary to achieve function-specific performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lockset is divided into modular components: a common platform (chassis assembly and inside drive assembly) and interchangeable peripheral components (outside drive assembly, handles, trim). This segmentation allows the core functional elements to be standardized while enabling function-specific customization through component selection rather than requiring entirely different chassis configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple chassis formats are maintained for different functions, then functional requirements are met, but inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidinventory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal chassis assembly design serves all lockset functions by accommodating different outside drive assemblies and peripheral components. The common platform maintains consistent mounting interfaces and internal mechanisms that work across passage, exit, locked, and specialized functions, eliminating the need to stock multiple chassis formats in inventory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple function-specific components are merged onto a single common platform. The chassis assembly and inside drive assembly form a standardized base that combines with various outside drive assemblies (mild steel, stainless steel, specialized mechanisms) to create different lockset functions, consolidating what would otherwise require separate chassis designs into one universal platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If function-specific chassis are manufactured, then each lockset can be optimized for its function, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction-specific optimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into producing a standardized common platform (chassis assembly and inside drive assembly) and separately manufacturing function-specific outside drive assemblies and peripheral components. This allows the core platform to be manufactured once with consistent quality controls, while function-specific optimizations are achieved through component design rather than complex chassis manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis assembly is designed as a universal base that maintains consistent manufacturing processes across all functions. Function-specific features are incorporated into interchangeable peripheral components rather than the chassis itself, allowing the core platform to be manufactured with standardized procedures while still achieving function-specific optimization through component selection and configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12631043B2Modular cylindrical lockset

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 SCHLAGE LOCK CO LLC

AI summary

An exemplary product line system includes a common platform and a plurality of component families, each of which includes a plurality of interchangeable component species configured for use with the common platform. The common platform includes an inside drive assembly and a chassis assembly including a chassis and an outside drive assembly. A lockset assembled from the system includes the common platform and a plurality of modular components. Each of the modular components corresponds to a respective one of the component families, and is provided as a selected species of the corresponding component family. The lockset has a function defined by the set of component species installed to the lockset. The function of the lockset can be changed by altering the set of component species installed to the lockset without disassembling the chassis assembly.