Sliding Actuator Assembly for Bidirectional Latch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double latch locksets face challenges in convenience, efficiency, and safety, particularly in allowing easy unlocking and exit while ensuring secure locking, especially when occupants need to quickly exit a room.
Innovation Solution
A sliding actuator assembly with a novel latch cam that includes a hub, radial projections, and a spring, allowing the latch to retract only when the door handle is rotated in one direction, and featuring a drive assembly that connects the first and second retractable latches to ensure simultaneous retraction and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both latches are latched for greater security, then security is improved, but manual unlocking becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate latches (retractable latch and deadbolt) into a single operational unit controlled by one door knob or lever. The drive assembly merges the operation of both latches so that rotating the door knob or lever in one direction simultaneously retracts both the retractable latch and the deadbolt, enabling single-action dual-bolt release for rapid exit while maintaining secure locking when both are engaged
2Ease of operation
If a single action releases both bolts for rapid exit, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to independently control each latch is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control where the door knob or lever can be rotated in different directions to achieve different latch operations. Rotating in one direction (e.g., clockwise) simultaneously retracts both latches for rapid exit, while rotating in the opposite direction (e.g., counter-clockwise) provides independent control over each latch, allowing selective engagement or disengagement based on security needs
3Ease of operation
If the latch cam allows rotation in both directions, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended latch retraction may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The latch cam is designed with asymmetric features including a ratchet mechanism with teeth that allow the cam to rotate freely in one direction (enabling latch retraction) while preventing rotation in the opposite direction (preventing unintended retraction). The spring-loaded actuator works in conjunction with the asymmetric cam to ensure that only intentional rotational input in the permitted direction results in latch operation, while reverse rotation is mechanically blocked
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 enhances convenience by allowing easy unlocking and exit while maintaining secure locking, ensuring the first retractable latch remains projected during locking to prevent door opening due to warping or misalignment, and provides independent operation of the second latch for enhanced safety.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that resists retraction of the sliding actuator and urges the first projection against the first tooth
Data Source
AI summary
A latchset comprises a latch cam hub configured to rotate on a door handle tailpiece, a first and optionally also a second projection extending radially outward from the hub, a sliding actuator comprising an elongated body and a first tooth, and a spring that resists retraction of the sliding actuator and urges the first projection against the first tooth. The latch cam is operative to retract the sliding actuator when a coupled door handle is rotated in only one rotational direction, such that rotation of the coupled door handle in the opposite rotational direction is inoperative to retract the sliding actuator. The hub is configured to be rotated by 90° during installation to set the latch cam to operate in an oppositely handed door. The latch cam prevents lost motion in eight door configurations.