Retractable Handle for Cremone Bolt Sliding Door Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices for locking/unlocking systems in sliding joinery face challenges such as ergonomic inefficiencies, risk of handle collision, and aesthetic issues, particularly when using cremone locking mechanisms, which complicate the operation and limit the maximum opening of sliding leaves.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a handle that rotates in a circular stroke of 0 to 180 degrees, featuring a crutch that remains in the same plane and is only partially embedded in the upright, allowing for easy operation with a single rotation maneuver, and includes a gripping zone for finger manipulation to reduce ergonomic strain and prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a handle protrudes from the upright of the moving leaf, then the locking/unlocking operation is ergonomic, but the handle risks collision with the baffle upright of another leaf and limits the opening of the leaf

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking/unlocking operation ergonomicsVSAvoidhandle collision risk and limited opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its position between protruding (for operation) and retracted (for safety and full opening). This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction by enabling the handle to adapt its state based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handle operation is divided into distinct phases: protruding state for ergonomic locking/unlocking operation, and retracted state for preventing collision and enabling full leaf opening. This segmentation of the handle's spatial presence allows it to fulfill multiple conflicting requirements at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a recessed handle is used to allow leaf crossing, then collision risk is reduced, but the locking operation becomes less ergonomic due to finger manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle collision riskVSAvoidlocking/unlocking operation ergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle transitions from a fixed recessed position to a protruding operational position, dynamically gaining leverage for ergonomic operation only when needed. This resolves the contradiction by providing finger-manipulable recessed operation normally, but enabling leveraged operation when the user needs mechanical advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handle serves multiple functions: it can be operated by finger when recessed for normal conditions, and can protrude to provide leveraged operation when needed. This multi-functionality allows the same mechanism to address both the collision prevention requirement and the ergonomics requirement under different conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a double retractable handle is used to allow leaf crossing, then collision risk is eliminated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle collision riskVSAvoidhandle mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle mechanism is segmented into essential components only: a retractable handle, a barrel for receiving the actuating shaft, and a fixing base. This segmentation avoids the complexity of double retraction mechanisms while still achieving the safety goal through single retraction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the necessary retraction functionality from more complex double-retraction systems. By removing unnecessary complexity and keeping only the essential retraction feature, the solution achieves collision prevention without the overhead of dual retraction mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Length of moving object

If the handle rotates in a circular stroke of 0 to 180 degrees, then the maximum opening of sliding leaves is achieved, but the handle may collide with the baffle upright

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaximum opening of sliding leavesVSAvoidhandle collision with baffle upright
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle dynamically adjusts its radial position (protruding or retracted) during its 180-degree circular stroke. By retracting when the leaf opens and protruding only during locking/unlocking operations, the handle achieves maximum leaf opening capability while avoiding collision with the baffle upright during the opening motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4108856B1Device for controlling a system for locking/unlocking a door leaf, and joinery comprising same
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 LA CROISEE DS
  • EP4108856B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4108856B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4108856B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3

AI summary

A control device for a cremone bolt locking/unlocking system, said device (4) comprising a cremone bolt actuating shaft (42), and a handle (40) rotating said shaft and comprising: - an operating lever (400) adapted to be mounted on a receiving post, - a receiving shaft (401) for at least one end of the actuating shaft, integral with the lever, and - a mounting plate (41) comprising a housing (410, 411) adapted to be recessed into said post, and a receiving orifice (4110) for the handle shaft through which said actuating shaft passes, and said lever extending in a plane parallel to the plane of the front face of the plate, and being only rotatable along a circular travel around the axis (D) of the actuating shaft (42) between a locked position and an unlocked position in a plane parallel to the plan of the front face of the sole,and covering at least part of the said front face of the sole, in particular the said casing, in the locked position.