Automatic Panic Lock Monolithic Follower Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic panic locks face wear and clearance issues under repeated operating cycles, compromising their security and efficiency, especially when subjected to high demands for standardization and security classification.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a slotted one-piece body housing a follower plate, a ball and socket joint for the spring rod, and a riveted wheel system, which enhances strength resistance, reduces friction, and maintains angular stability, along with a set screw linkage for the spindles, providing a more rigid and durable locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the follower is formed by several parts, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but the linkage requires adjustment and accumulates wear and clearances under repeated operating cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The follower is designed as a single monolithic piece rather than multiple assembled parts. This merging eliminates the need for linkages between components, removing adjustment requirements and preventing wear accumulation at connection points, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability under repeated cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
While the follower itself is monolithic, the patent segments the locking mechanism into distinct functional zones within the single piece, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and eliminating weak points at component interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the follower is formed by several parts, then the manufacturing flexibility is greater, but the friction surface is smaller and wear is greater
Solution Approach 1:
The follower is designed as a single monolithic piece rather than multiple assembled parts. This merging eliminates the need for linkages between components, removing adjustment requirements and preventing wear accumulation at connection points, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability under repeated cycling.
3Device complexity
If the rod rubs against the inside of the clutch wheel, then the structure is simpler, but the rod breaks due to bending fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
A ball and socket joint is introduced as an intermediary element between the rod and clutch wheel. This mediator transforms the direct rubbing contact into a spherical bearing interface, allowing rotational movement without bending stresses on the rod, thereby preventing fatigue failure while adding minimal structural complexity.
4Device complexity
If the latch bolt is not constrained in its operational line, then the mechanism is simpler, but incorrect locking or interference with the blocking bar occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A wheel constrained to roll on a flat edge serves as an intermediary constraint for the latch bolt. This mediator ensures the latch bolt follows its operational line precisely during engagement, preventing incorrect locking or interference with the blocking bar while maintaining mechanism simplicity through passive geometric constraint rather than active control.
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
This configuration significantly increases the lock's resistance to tampering and wear, ensuring compliance with high-cycle standards, enhancing user safety and privacy by preventing incorrect unlocking and maintaining operational integrity.
Implementation Method 1
it incorporates a clutch end and a ball and socket joint which is linked to the spring rod. This configuration allows the rotation of the spring rod to take place in the ball and socket joint
Implementation Method 2
the body of the latch bolt comprises a flat edge on which a wheel anchored to the chassis is disposed. Rolling on the tail of the latch bolt is thereby obtained in order to maintain the latch bolt in its operational line
Implementation Method 3
the actuator lever comprises a protrusion disposed close to a protrusion of the lever plate. Therefore, since all the elements are linked together, the assembly is operated at the same time, allowing, in the driving of the lever plate, the protrusion of the lever plate to hit against the protrusion of the actuator lever and remove the blocking bar
Data Source
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AI summary
Automatic panic lock of the type having a spring-loaded automatic locking, and which can always be unlocked with the inner spindle and can only be unlocked with the outer spindle when the clutch is in the suitable position; the follower being configured by a slotted one-piece body (4) housing an actuating follower plate (5) in its slot (4a), and the inner spindle (2) being permanently attached to the window (5a) of the actuating follower plate (5) with its end (2a), and the outer spindle (3) being linked to the actuating follower plate (5) only when the clutch end (10) cotters the slotted one-piece body (4) with the linking end (5b) of the actuating follower plate (5).