Sliding Door Locking System with Folding Bolt and Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door locking systems are insecure when the sliding door is bent or pressed perpendicular to its plane, causing the locking bolt to be guided past the inner door, compromising the secure locking of the furniture.

Innovation Solution

A sliding door locking system featuring a lock cylinder with a rotary handle and a folding bolt that pivots about a second axis, resting on a stop attached to the inner sliding door, which covers the gap between the doors and stabilizes the inner door, making it harder to bend, combined with a damping spring element and a drive device for reliable bolt operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hinged bolt lock is used in sliding door furniture, then the locking function is achieved, but the security is compromised when the sliding door is bent or pressed perpendicular to its plane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoiddoor bending effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bolt is designed to move not only in the locking direction (perpendicular to door plane) but also in a second dimension (parallel to door plane) to engage with a recess in the stop. This dual-dimensional movement ensures the bolt remains engaged even when the door is bent or pressed, preventing the harmful effect from compromising locking security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A stop with a recess is introduced as an intermediary element between the bolt and the inner sliding door. The recess accommodates the bolt's movement and provides a stable engagement point that is not affected by door bending, thereby mediating the interaction between the bolt and the door to maintain reliable locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the gap between sliding doors is left open, then ease of operation is improved, but manipulative access to the gap becomes easier compromising security

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor operationVSAvoidlocking security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stop is designed with a specific local quality - a recess at its end face - that provides a secure engagement point for the bolt. This localized feature ensures that while the gap remains open for normal operation, the critical locking area (where the bolt engages the recess) maintains high security against manipulative access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances locking security by preventing the inner door from bending and making manipulative access to the gap more difficult, ensuring a stable and secure locking mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

At least one damping spring element is attached to the side of the stop to be attached to the end face to dampen an impact of the inner sliding door on a furniture wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2885474B1Sliding door closing system of a piece of furniture
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 MARTIN LEHMANN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2885474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2885474B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2885474B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliding door closing system of a piece of furniture, having at least two sliding doors (1, 2), which can be moved on tracks which extend at least partially parallel to each other, having a locking cylinder (7) arranged on an outer sliding door (1) having a turning handle, a cylinder housing (71) and a cylinder core (72) which is integrated therein and can be rotated around a first rotation axis (A) by the turning handle, and a folding bar (5), which is arranged on a lock housing (3) to swivel by turning the cylinder core (72) around a second rotation axis (B), which is perpendicular to the first rotation axis (A), wherein, in a closed position, the folding bar (5) contacts a stop (8), which can be fastened to an inner sliding door (2), by a stop edge (53), and wherein the stop (8) extends from a face (21) of the inner sliding door (2), which extends perpendicularly to the sliding direction (x), to a front side (22) of the inner sliding door (2), which faces the outer sliding door (1), and wherein the thickness (d) of the stop (8) in the region of the front side (22) of the inner sliding door (2) facing the outer sliding door (1) is dimensioned at least in sections such that a gap (S) between the sliding doors (1, 2), which stand in front of each other, is covered at least in sections.