Nested Locking Mechanism for Sliding Glass Pane Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for sliding glass panes in outdoor enclosures fail to provide flexible movement and secure locking, especially when partially open, and offer limited protection against burglary due to easily accessible closure elements and significant gaps between panes.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a first locking element and a second driver element that interact to allow synchronized movement of plate-shaped elements in one direction while preventing movement in the other, featuring a recess with distinct sections for secure engagement and a rotatable actuating body for easy operation, enhancing security and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking element is provided in the profiles to lock glass panes against each other, then the glass panes can be locked in a closed position, but the closure elements are relatively easily accessible from the outside and can be moved into the open position with a simple tool, providing limited protection against burglary
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device employs a nested structure where the locking element is recessed within the profile cross-section. The locking element is positioned inside a recess of the profile, making it inaccessible from the outside. Only the actuating body extends outward to receive user input, while the critical locking mechanism remains protected within the profile structure, preventing tool-based manipulation from the exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating body serves as an intermediary between the user and the locking element. It transmits rotational motion from the user's manual operation to the locking element, which in turn engages or disengages from the counter-profile. This intermediary mechanism allows secure locking while maintaining external accessibility only for the actuating body, not the locking element itself.
2Ease of operation
If the rails are spaced far enough apart to allow plate-shaped elements to slide completely past one another, then the elements can be moved freely, but gaps form between the plate-shaped elements when locked
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism dynamically adjusts the spacing between profiles. When locked, the locking element engages with the counter-profile, effectively reducing the gap between them. When unlocked, the profiles can move freely with larger spacing. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain both free movement capability and secure closed position with minimal gaps.
3Reliability
If the locking element is positioned to lock the rearmost and frontmost glass panes, then the housing is completely closed, but the glass panes can only be moved together as a unit and not individually in intermediate positions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented to operate on individual profiles rather than requiring all panes to be locked simultaneously. Each profile with its locking element can engage independently with its corresponding counter-profile. This segmentation allows individual panes or groups of panes to be locked in intermediate positions, providing flexible positioning while maintaining the ability to achieve complete closure when all locking elements are engaged.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~4d
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a locking device for locking and moving at least two plate-shaped elements (12) slidably mounted along a first displacement direction (R1) and an opposite second displacement direction (R2), comprising a first locking and/or moving element (11) attachable to the first plate-shaped element (121), and a second locking and/or moving element (13) attachable to the second plate-shaped element (122), which is movable between a moving position and a locking position, wherein the first and the second locking and/or moving element (11, 13) are designed and interact such that when the second locking and/or moving element (13) is in the locking position, the plate-shaped elements (12) are slidably together along the first displacement direction (R1) and the second displacement direction (R2), and then,When the second locking and/or drive element (13) is in the drive position, moving the second plate-shaped element (122) in the second movement direction (R2) causes the first plate-shaped element (121) to move in the second movement direction (R2), while moving the second plate-shaped element (122) in the first movement direction (R1) does not cause the first plate-shaped element to move in the first movement direction (R1).