Retractable Latch Bolt Assembly for Automatic Cabinet Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cam locks face an 'impact problem' where the distal end of the elongate cam cannot fully close a cabinet closure without pivoting to the unlocked orientation, leading to potential damage and an unsightly impact when trying to force the closure to its fully closed position.

Innovation Solution

A spring-projected retractable latch bolt assembly is introduced, which replaces the traditional elongate cam, allowing the closure to be moved to its fully closed position without needing to pivot to the unlocked orientation, as the latch bolt retracts during the closing process and snaps back to lock the closure automatically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the elongate cam is used in conventional cam locks, then the locking function is provided, but the closure cannot fully close without pivoting to unlocked orientation causing impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cam is replaced with a retractable latch bolt assembly that can dynamically change its position between extended and retracted states. The latch bolt retracts to allow closure and extends to provide locking, eliminating the impact problem while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters from a fixed cam that must pivot to unlocked orientation to a retractable latch bolt that can extend and retract along its axis, allowing the closure to fully close while maintaining locked orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the elongate cam is forced to fully close the closure, then the closure reaches fully closed position, but impact occurs causing damage and unsightly appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure closingVSAvoidimpact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retractable latch bolt assembly dynamically adjusts its position during closure, retracting to permit full closing movement and then extending to lock, eliminating impact while ensuring proper closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the cam is kept in locked orientation, then security is maintained, but the closure cannot be fully closed without causing impact

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidclosure closing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch bolt assembly provides dynamic functionality by retracting to allow closure while maintaining locked orientation, then extending to secure the closure, combining security with ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If conventional cam locks are used, then simple structure is maintained, but frequent key operation is required and impact problem occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelock structureVSAvoidkey operation frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retractable latch bolt assembly provides automatic locking functionality, allowing closures to lock automatically when closed without requiring key operation, reducing manual intervention while maintaining simple structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution prevents damage by enabling the closure to reach its fully closed position without impact, maintaining functionality while eliminating the need for key operation and ensuring secure locking without the 'impact problem' encountered with conventional cam locks.

Implementation Method 1

a first spring positioned inside the latch bolt component and bearing against the first component to bias the latch bolt component toward the retracted position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9822556B1Retractable latch bolt assemblies for upgrading locks

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 THE EASTERN COMPANY

AI summary

Spring-projected latch bolt assemblies each having a retractable latch bolt component are used to upgrade commercially available lock operating mechanisms so that closures carrying the upgraded lock operating mechanisms can lock automatically when the closures reach their fully closed positions. To permit unobstructed closing of each closure, a normally extended component of each associated spring-projected latch bolt assembly retracts during a final segment of the closing of an associated closure, and snaps back to its fully extended position as the associated closure comes to rest in its fully closed position.