Electric Motor Flush Bolt with Threaded Spindle Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flush bolts require significant manual force and pose a risk of injury during actuation, and their complex mechanical transmission makes them difficult to assemble and expensive to produce.

Innovation Solution

A flush bolt design where an electric motor directly drives a threaded spindle, translating its rotation into translational movement of the locking element, allowing for easy actuation and integration of sensors and switches for automated locking and unlocking, with the option of one or two motors and sensors for position detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual actuation of locking elements is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required force and injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of actuationVSAvoidmechanical transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical actuation system with an electric motor system. The motor drives a threaded spindle that converts rotational motion into linear motion of the locking element, eliminating the need for manual leverage and complex mechanical linkages while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded spindle acts as an intermediary between the electric motor and the locking element. It translates the rotational motion of the motor into the linear translational movement required for the locking element, providing a simple and effective coupling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex mechanical transmission is used to drive locking elements, then reliability of locking is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to assembly complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into separate functional modules: the electric motor, the threaded spindle, the locking element, and the actuating mechanism. This segmentation allows for independent manufacturing and assembly of each component, simplifying production and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable locking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission systems with a simpler electric motor-driven threaded spindle mechanism. This substitution reduces the number of mechanical components, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while ensuring reliable locking through the direct drive mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables safe and effortless operation of the flush bolt, reduces assembly complexity, and lowers production costs by eliminating the need for manual actuation and complex mechanical components.

Implementation Method 1

an electric motor is provided which drives a threaded spindle directly attached to a shaft of the electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

rotation of the threaded spindle is translated into the translational movement of the locking element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3118396B1Edge bolt with an electric motor
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 HEINRICH STRENGER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3118396B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3118396B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3118396B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A locking bolt (1) for installation in a door or window sash, comprising a strike plate (2) for fastening the locking bolt (1) to a rebate of the door or window sash and at least one locking element (3) that can be moved from a locking position to an unlocking position and back by a translational movement, characterized in that an electric motor (5) driving a threaded spindle (4) is provided for driving the at least one locking element (3), wherein the at least one locking element (3) is coupled to the threaded spindle (4) in such a way that a rotation of the threaded spindle (4) is translated into the translational movement of the locking element (3).