Sliding Door Lock Device with Pivoting Bolt and Gear Actuation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lock devices for sliding doors face issues with security, as they can be manipulated open or closed, and are prone to damage due to the small vertical overlap between the bolt and strike plate, allowing thin objects to push the bolt into an open position.

Innovation Solution

A lock device with a housing containing a shooting cylinder and a pivoting locking bar, actuated by a gear system that locks the bolt in both closed and open positions, featuring a plate-shaped design for space efficiency and a spring-loaded locking mechanism to prevent unintentional movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional arched bolt is used that swings out from the end face of the sliding door leaf, then the locking device is simple in construction, but the vertical overlap between the strike plate and bolt is small, making the locked door vulnerable to forced opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidresistance to forced opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional swinging bolt movement to a pivoting bolt mechanism that rotates about an axis parallel to the locking cylinder axis. This dimensional change in movement pattern allows the bolt to achieve greater vertical overlap with the strike plate while maintaining a compact structure, thereby improving resistance to forced opening without significantly increasing construction complexity

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

2Ease of operation

If the bolt is made movable in the open or closed position, then the locking device is easy to operate, but the bolt can be manipulated using thin objects inserted into the gap between the sliding door and lock case

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidresistance to manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a locking device that preemptively secures the bolt in its positioned state before any manipulation attempt can occur. The locking device engages with the actuating device to lock the bolt in both closed and open positions, preventing thin objects from being inserted and manipulating the bolt, while still allowing easy operation through the locking cylinder

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a locking device as an intermediary element between the bolt and the external environment. This locking device interacts with the actuating device to prevent direct manipulation of the bolt, serving as a protective mediator that maintains security while preserving operational ease through the locking cylinder interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If a compact locking device is designed for glass sliding doors with limited installation space, then the device fits well in thin door leaves, but the mechanism becomes more complex to achieve sufficient security

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components: the locking device integrates the locking mechanism, the actuating device integration, and the bolt positioning functions into a compact unit. The driver of the locking cylinder jointly actuates the actuating device and locking device, merging actuation functions. This integration achieves sufficient security against manipulation and forced opening while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for glass sliding doors with limited installation space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 lock device provides enhanced security by preventing manipulation and damage, ensuring the bolt remains locked in its position, even when the sliding door is open or closed, and is designed to be space-saving for installation in sliding glass doors.

Implementation Method 1

a spring applying a spring force to the locking device in the direction of a locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

an actuating device that interacts with a second gear section of the locking device via a first gear section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP4339405A1Lock device for a sliding door and lock system
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 GEBR WILLACH
  • EP4339405A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4339405A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4339405A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Locking device (1) for a sliding door, comprising a housing (2), a locking cylinder (3) with a driver (3b) which is pivoted about an axis (3a) of the locking cylinder (3) when the locking cylinder (3) is actuated, and a bolting device (17) with a bolt (19) which can be pivoted out of an end face (2a) of the housing (2) by rotating the bolting device (17) about a bolt axis (21) arranged parallel to the axis (3a) of the locking cylinder (3), characterized by an actuating device (11) which interacts via a first gear section (15) with a second gear section (23) of the bolting device (17) and a locking device (29) which interacts with the actuating device (11) to lock the bolt (19) in a closed and/or open position, wherein the driver (3b) of the locking cylinder (3) engages the actuating device (11) and the locking device (29) is operated jointly.