Sliding Door Latch Integration for Continuous Emergency Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door systems for ICU/CCU rooms lack an intuitive mechanism for unlatching and sliding the sliding door panel in a continuous motion, complicating access during emergencies or for convenience.

Innovation Solution

A slide latching system with a jamb strike, latch assembly, and handle set that allows for simultaneous unlatching and sliding of the door panel in a single continuous motion, using a handle set drivably coupled to the latch assembly to pivot the latch hook portion and slide the door panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a manual sliding door with breakaway provision is used, then full access into or out of the room is provided, but the unlatching and sliding actions are separate and not intuitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintuitiveness of unlatching and slidingVSAvoidcomplexity of handle set mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle set combines the unlatching function and sliding function into a single integrated mechanism. When the user pulls the handle, it simultaneously pivots the latch hook portion away from the jamb strike (unlatching) and slides the door panel open (sliding), merging two separate actions into one intuitive continuous motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle set serves multiple functions: it acts as both the operating lever for unlatching the latch assembly and the gripping surface for sliding the door panel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate handles or mechanisms for unlatching and sliding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If separate actions are required for unlatching and sliding, then the mechanism is simpler, but access during emergencies is slower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of access during emergenciesVSAvoidnumber of separate actions required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle set merges the unlatching operation and sliding operation into a single continuous pulling motion. The user performs one action (pulling the handle) that simultaneously completes both unlatching and sliding, eliminating the need for separate actions and significantly speeding up access during emergencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle set enables continuous useful action by allowing the user to slide the door open in a single continuous pulling motion without interruption. The unlatching and sliding occur seamlessly in one continuous action, maximizing the speed and efficiency of door operation during emergency situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250257587A1Slide latching system for a door system

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 STANLEY ACCESS TECH LLC

AI summary

A slide lactching system for latching a sliding door panel to a door frame includes a jamb strike, a latch assembly, and a handle set The jamb strike is connected to the door frame. The latch assembly is connected to the sliding door panel, and has a latch member having a latch hook portion configured to engage the jamb strike. The latch hook portion is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The handle set is mounted to the sliding door panel. The handle set is drivably coupled to the latch assembly. The handle set is configured to facilitate both of a moving of the latch hook portion of the latch assembly to the unlatched position, and a sliding of the sliding door panel in a first direction in a continuous motion applied to the handle set by a user.