Sliding Door Lock Cam Assembly for Retractable Multi-Point Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-point mortise locks are easily broken or disengaged, while multi-point locks are larger and more expensive, and both types can cause user inconvenience and aesthetic issues due to extended locking elements when unlocked.
Innovation Solution
A sliding door lock with retractable locking elements, featuring a drive assembly with a cam and slide mechanism that extends and retracts locking elements, including a retractor with a biasing spring for anti-slam functionality, allowing the elements to retract when unlocked and slide smoothly within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-point lock with a single locking element is used, then the lock is smaller and more cost-effective, but it is easily broken or disengaged by insignificant force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking elements (at least two locking elements) that can be actuated separately. Each locking element can be independently extended or retracted, allowing the system to achieve multi-point locking security while maintaining a modular structure that is relatively simple to manufacture compared to traditional multi-point locks
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are made dynamically retractable, allowing them to be extended for locking and retracted for unlocking. This dynamic capability enables the lock to provide security when needed while maintaining aesthetic appearance and preventing snagging when unlocked, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation
2Reliability
If a multi-point lock with multiple locking elements is used, then security is increased, but the lock is larger and more expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly serves multiple functions: it actuates multiple locking elements, provides retractable mechanism for each element, and includes biasing springs for anti-slam protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each locking element, thereby reducing overall size and manufacturing complexity while maintaining multi-point security
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are nested within the housing and can be retracted into it when not in use. The drive assembly components are nested within each other, with the retractor mechanism fitting within the housing structure. This nesting approach minimizes the external dimensions of the lock while accommodating multiple locking elements and their actuation mechanisms
3Reliability
If locking elements are extended for locking engagement, then security is provided, but user inconvenience and aesthetic issues occur when unlocked
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are designed to dynamically change their position between extended (for locking) and retracted (for unlocking) states. This dynamic capability allows the lock to provide security when needed while maintaining aesthetic appearance and preventing snagging when unlocked, directly resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are extracted from a fixed extended position and made movable. When unlocked, the elements are retracted into the housing, removing them from the exterior surface. This extraction eliminates the aesthetic issues and user inconvenience associated with visible extended locking elements while maintaining the ability to extend them for security 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
Provides enhanced security and reduced user interference by retracting locking elements when unlocked, improving aesthetics and preventing snagging, while maintaining effective locking performance.
Implementation Method 1
the retractor includes a biasing spring configured to bias the at least one locking element in the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding door lock includes a housing, a locking element, and a drive assembly configured to extend and retract the locking element in a transverse direction and slide the locking element along a longitudinal axis while extended. The drive assembly includes a cam and a slide mechanism. Upon rotation of the cam, the slide mechanism linearly translates along the longitudinal axis. The drive assembly also includes a retractor supported at least partially within the slide mechanism. When the slide mechanism linearly translates along the longitudinal axis, the retractor during a first movement portion of the slide mechanism slides along the transverse direction to extend or retract the locking element from the housing. During a second movement portion of the slide mechanism, the retractor maintains position in the transverse direction to slide the locking element along the longitudinal axis while extended.