Push Through Latch Rotating Bolt Head Energy Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bored locks require significant energy to electromechanically retract the latch bolt head, and they often lack sufficient volume for energy storage, limiting their effectiveness in off-grid applications.

Innovation Solution

A push through latch mechanism that employs a rotatable latch bolt head, controlled by a blocking pin, allowing the strike face and locking face to swap angles, reducing the energy required for latch retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional bored locks employ electromechanical retraction of the latch bolt, then the door can be locked and unlocked, but significant energy is consumed and volume for energy storage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption for latch retractionVSAvoidease of door opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using electromechanical force to push the latch bolt back into the door (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by allowing the latch bolt to be pushed forward through the door, and then using the door's own closing force to automatically retract it. This inversion eliminates the need for high-energy electromechanical retraction while maintaining secure locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch mechanism is designed to use the door's natural closing force and the geometry of the latch bolt faces to automatically retract the latch without external power. The angled locking face and strike face configuration enables the system to self-retract using forces already present in the door-closing process, eliminating dependence on electromechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If the latch bolt head is made rotatable to swap angles between strike face and locking face, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption for latch retractionVSAvoidcomplexity of latch mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch bolt head is made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its orientation between two positions: one for locking (locking face engaged) and one for opening (strike face engaged). This dynamic capability enables the same component to serve multiple functions throughout the operation cycle, reducing the need for separate mechanisms for locking and opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable latch bolt head serves multiple functions: it provides the locking function when the locking face is engaged with the strike plate, and it provides the opening function when rotated to engage the strike face with the door edge. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate components into a single versatile element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12209435B2Push through latch

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 SARGENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY

AI summary

A door lock may include a latch bolt head and a blocking pin. The latch bolt head may be configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position to selectively engage a latch head pocket of a door jamb. The latch bolt head may also be configured to move between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, wherein the blocking pin is configured to prevent movement of the latch bolt head from the first rotational position to the second rotational position when the blocking pin is in an engaged position.