Offset Bolt Drawer Lock with Cam Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer lock assemblies for cabinets and desks lack a secure and efficient mechanism for locking and unlocking, as they often rely on cumbersome bolt systems that are difficult to actuate and provide inadequate structural support.
Innovation Solution
A locking device comprising a housing, driver, bolt, and end plate, where the bolt includes offset members that interact with a cam mechanism to move between locked and unlocked positions, and is secured with mounting holes for structural support, allowing for easy key operation and secure mounting on drawer surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional bolt system is used for drawer locking, then the locking function is provided, but the actuation becomes difficult and structural support is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static bolt system into a dynamic cam-based mechanism where the bolt member is actuated through rotational motion of the driver and cam interaction. This dynamic approach allows easy key operation while maintaining secure locking through the mechanical advantage of the cam profile and bolt geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the driver member for key actuation, the cam member for motion transformation, and the bolt member for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the driver for ease of operation and the bolt-cam system for reliable locking.
2Strength
If mounting holes are recessed for structural support, then structural support is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting holes are pre-formed as recesses in the housing during the housing manufacturing process rather than being created as separate assembly steps. This preliminary action provides structural support through the recessed design while avoiding additional complex manufacturing operations, as the housing is molded or machined with the recesses already incorporated.
3Productivity
If offset members are used in the bolt, then locking efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offset members are integrated directly into the bolt member as a unified component rather than separate parts. The first and second offset members are formed as part of the same bolt structure, allowing efficient locking action through their offset geometry while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components and assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A drawer lock assembly is provided including a housing having a front face and a rear face; a barrel having a first end extending perpendicularly from the front face of the housing and a second end extending through the rear face of the housing; a locking actuation member disposed through the first end of the barrel; a driver disposed through the second end of the barrel to engage the locking actuation member; a bolt including a first member offset from a second member in a parallel relationship, the first member includes a slot configured to receive a cam of the driver; and an endplate configured to retain the driver and bolt in the housing, the endplate including a channel configured to receive the second member of the bolt, wherein upon actuation of the locking actuation member, the second member extends beyond the housing to engage a recess of a structure.