Rotatable Latch Head Mechanism for Motor-Driven Door Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tubular latch bolts in existing door lock systems face issues with latch head collision during door opening, difficulty in automatic driving mechanisms due to required shaft rotation, and increased power consumption and motor burden.
Innovation Solution
A latch structure with a rotatable latch head, a plunger, and a latch stopper that allows the latch head to be released with fewer shaft revolutions, enabling use in push-pull or motor-driven mechanisms, and preventing latch bolt release by impurities through a slope portion and cutting portion design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the latch head is retracted through linear movement in a tubular latch bolt, then the door can be locked and unlocked, but collision occurs between the latch head and striker when the door is opened before complete retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The latch head is changed from linear movement to rotational movement. The latch head rotates about a rotation axis, allowing it to be retracted into the door body through rotation rather than linear translation. This dynamic change in movement mode eliminates the collision problem with the striker while maintaining the door locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement parameter of the latch head is changed from linear displacement to rotational angle. By controlling the rotation angle of the latch head, the retraction distance is precisely controlled, ensuring complete retraction before door opening without requiring excessive rotation that would cause collision.
2Reliability
If a shaft rotates about 35° to 45° for the protruding latch of the tubular latch bolt to be inserted, then the latch can be engaged, but power consumption increases through friction and burden on the motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation angle parameter is optimized to be less than 35 degrees, significantly reducing the rotational burden on the motor compared to conventional tubular latch bolts. This parameter change reduces friction and power consumption while ensuring reliable latch engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism uses rotational movement of the latch head combined with linear movement of the locking body, creating a more efficient mechanical dynamic that requires less motor power compared to the pure rotational mechanism of conventional tubular latches.
3Productivity
If the latch head is rotatable when the locking body is spaced apart, then the latch can be released with fewer shaft revolutions, but the structure becomes more complex with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is divided into functionally independent components: the rotatable latch head for engagement/release, the locking body for linear movement, the plunger for rotational control, and the latch stopper for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling rapid latch release with fewer shaft revolutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch head is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate into and out of the engaged position. This dynamic capability enables the latch to be released by rotating the shaft a small number of times, significantly improving the productivity of the door opening operation.
4Reliability
If the plunger is designed to prevent the latch head from rotating, then the latch can be secured during door closing, but the mechanism requires additional components to control rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is designed to interact dynamically with the latch head's rotation. When the plunger protrudes, it contacts the latch head to prevent rotation during door closing. When the plunger retracts, it allows the latch head to rotate for engagement or release. This dynamic interaction provides security during closing without requiring a complex dedicated locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger acts as an intermediary component between the shaft and the latch head. It mediates the rotation control by protruding to prevent rotation when needed and retracting to allow rotation when needed, simplifying the overall rotation control mechanism while maintaining reliability.
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 latch structure reduces the number of shaft revolutions required for latch head release, facilitates automatic opening-closing mechanisms, and prevents latch bolt release by impurities, enhancing durability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
One end of the latch stopper may be pushed toward the inner surface of the body by a plunger spring connected to the plunger
Data Source
AI summary
A latch structure according to an embodiment includes a body, a locking body, a latch head, a plunger, and a latch stopper. The body is disposed inside a door. The locking body moves in response to an external operation. The latch head protrudes from the body to maintain the door in a closed position, and rotates when the locking body is spaced apart at least a predetermined distance. The plunger retracts into the body to prevent the latch head from rotating while the door is being closed. The latch stopper prevents the protruding latch head from retracting into the body when the plunger is maintained within the body.