Pivotable Latch Assembly for High-Load Lock Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Latch arrangements in locks face challenges in reliably unlocking doors under high initial load conditions and wear prevention, especially in panic locks where the latch heads need to absorb door closing forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with two pivotally attached latch heads, arranged in a cross configuration, where the pivot axes are spaced apart to allow for a wedge-like interaction with the striker plate, enabling the latch assembly to pivot and retract into the lock housing under load, reducing wear and facilitating easy unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the latch heads are designed to absorb door closing forces with a width greater than the locking element, then the locking element is pressure-relieved and can be pulled back with minimal force, but the latch heads experience high initial load and wear during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The latch heads are designed to be pivotable relative to the latch shaft, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. During door closing, the latch heads pivot to absorb the closing force; during unlocking, they pivot to present their full width to the striker plate, ensuring reliable operation under high initial load while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arrangement separates the force-absorbing function (latch heads) from the locking function (locking element). The latch heads are designed with sufficient width to independently absorb door closing forces, relieving the locking element from transverse pressure and enabling easy retraction, while the locking element maintains the secure locked position
2Force
If the latch heads are made wider than the locking element to absorb closing forces, then the locking element is relieved of pressure, but the latch heads experience increased wear from repeated contact with the striker plate
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable design allows the latch heads to dynamically engage and disengage from the striker plate. During normal operation, the latch heads pivot to minimize contact area with the striker plate, reducing wear. When force absorption is needed, they pivot to present their full width, ensuring adequate force absorption capacity
3Ease of operation
If the latch assembly is designed to pivot and retract into the lock housing under load, then wear is reduced and unlocking is facilitated, but the mechanism becomes more complex with additional pivot points and movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable latch head mechanism combines multiple functions into a single structural feature. The same pivot connection that allows the latch heads to absorb closing forces also enables them to retract during unlocking, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for force absorption and retraction, thus reducing overall complexity while maintaining ease of operation
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
The design ensures reliable unlocking under high loads and minimizes wear on the latch mechanism by distributing the force through a large active surface area and support distance, allowing for easier operation and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the two latch heads have a width that is greater than the width of the locking element. This ensures that the closing force of the door is absorbed by the latch heads, in that the striker plate comes into contact with the latch heads... the latch heads are only unlocked in the final section when the locking element is pulled back into the housing of the lock
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a latch arrangement of a lock, wherein a vertical axis, a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis are defined perpendicular to each other, comprising: a latch shaft for slidable arrangement in a housing of the lock along the longitudinal axis, a first latch head which is pivotably attached to the latch shaft about a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis is parallel to the vertical axis, and a second latch head which is pivotably attached to the latch shaft about a second pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis is parallel to the vertical axis, wherein the two pivot axes are spaced apart from each other.