Retractable Sliding Door Locking Bolt Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding door locking mechanisms with protruding locking bolts are aesthetically unappealing and pose a risk of injury, as they obstruct passage and can cause hazards when the door is open.
Innovation Solution
A retractable locking bolt system that moves from a protruding position to a retracted position when the door is open, using a combination of springs and magnets to ensure safe retraction and automatic extension when the door is closed, allowing for optimal alignment and secure locking without visual obstruction or risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protruding locking bolt is used to secure the sliding door in the closed position, then the locking function is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bolt is designed to be movable between a protruding position (when the door is closed) and a retracted position (when the door is open). This dynamic positioning allows the locking bolt to provide secure locking when needed while eliminating safety hazards and aesthetic impairments when the door is open.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bolt is extracted from the frame profile when the door is open, moving it into a retracted position where it no longer protrudes into the passage area. This extraction eliminates the safety hazard and aesthetic impairment while maintaining the locking function when the door is closed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the locking bolt is retracted when the door is open, then safety hazards are eliminated, but the locking mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bolt is equipped with a spring that automatically pushes it into the protruding position when the door is closed, eliminating the need for manual operation. The magnetic force automatically pulls the locking bolt into the protruding position when the door approaches the closed state, making the system self-regulating and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual operation of the locking bolt is replaced by automatic mechanisms including spring force and magnetic force. The spring provides automatic return to the protruding position, while the magnet provides automatic attraction when the door is closed, substituting manual mechanical operation with automatic physical forces.
3Extent of automation
If a spring is used to push the locking bolt into the protruding position, then automatic locking is achieved, but the locking bolt may not engage precisely with the locking element
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a magnetic field that acts as a feedback mechanism. When the door approaches the closed position, the magnet detects the proximity and automatically pulls the locking bolt into the protruding position, ensuring precise engagement with the locking element. This magnetic feedback ensures accurate positioning before locking occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bolt is pushed into the protruding position in advance by the spring before the door fully closes. This preliminary action ensures that the locking bolt is ready to engage with the locking element as the door approaches the closed state, facilitating precise and reliable locking.
4Shape
If the locking bolt is made movable, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the structural stability of the locking mechanism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bolt is designed with controlled mobility, being able to move between protruding and retracted positions while maintaining structural stability through proper mounting. The mounting structure provides stable support during the locking function while allowing controlled movement for aesthetic purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into functional components: the locking bolt, the mounting structure, the spring, and the magnet. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural stability. The mounting structure provides stable support while the locking bolt can move when needed.
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 solution provides a safe, aesthetically pleasing, and functional locking mechanism that eliminates hazards by retracting the locking bolt when the door is open, ensuring secure closure without protruding elements, thus enhancing user safety and door operation.
Implementation Method 1
the locking bolt can be spring-biased to the retracted position. This automatically moves the locking bolt to the retracted position when opening
Implementation Method 2
the locking bolt can be moved from the retracted position to the protruding position via a magnet. Here, a first magnet is preferably arranged behind the locking element as seen from the locking bolt, so that when the sliding door closes, the forces of attraction of the first magnet act on the locking bolt
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fitting for a sliding door (3), in particular a lift-and-slide door, comprises a locking mechanism having a locking bolt (4) and a locking element (6) that can be engaged with the locking bolt (4), wherein the locking bolt (4) projects from a frame profile (20) in a locked position and engages in the locking element (6), and wherein the locking bolt (4) can be moved from the position projecting from the frame profile (20) to a retracted position in an unlocked position. The invention further relates to a sliding door unit and a method for opening and closing a sliding door.