Sliding Window Lock Assembly Independent Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closure arrangements for sliding doors and windows are prone to damage due to incorrect operation, as they require synchronized operation of both sliding leaves to lock or unlock, and lack independence in opening and closing, leading to potential collisions and damage.

Innovation Solution

A closure arrangement with independent actuation for each sliding leaf, featuring movable gripping elements that only engage when both are in the locked position, allowing for independent locking and unlocking, and incorporating deflection mechanisms and securing projections to prevent collisions and enhance security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single actuating device is used to lock both sliding leaves simultaneously, then the locking operation is simplified, but the risk of damage from incorrect operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking operationVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is divided into two independent closure units (first closure and second closure), each with its own actuating device. This allows independent operation of each sliding leaf while maintaining the ability to lock both simultaneously, thereby simplifying operation without increasing damage risk from synchronized requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping elements are designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions dynamically. The first gripping element can be moved independently from the second gripping element, allowing the system to adapt to different operational sequences without damage, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If both sliding leaves must be operated synchronously to lock or unlock, then the locking security is enhanced, but the independence of opening and closing is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoidindependence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is segmented into two independent closure units, each capable of independent operation. The first closure with its first gripping element can be operated independently from the second closure with its second gripping element, providing both security through dual locking and independence in operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows different operational parameters for each closure unit. One sliding leaf can be opened or closed independently while the other remains locked, or both can be operated simultaneously. This flexibility in operational parameters resolves the contradiction between security and independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the gripping elements are designed to engage firmly when locked, then the security is enhanced, but the risk of collision damage during incorrect operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcollision damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping elements are designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions. When one gripping element is in the unlocked position, it cannot collide with the other element even if the sliding leaves are pushed together. This dynamic design allows firm engagement when locked for security while preventing collision damage during incorrect operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prevents collision damage beforehand by ensuring that when one gripping element is unlocked, it is positioned such that no collision can occur with the other gripping element. This prior protective positioning resolves the contradiction between firm engagement for security and prevention of collision damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2860333B1Lock assembly for closing two sliding wings
Publication Date: 2016.11.09 ROTO FRANK AG
  • EP2860333B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2860333B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP2860333B1 patent drawingFigure 1d~1e

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking arrangement (140) for sliding sashes of a sliding window, a sliding door, or the like. The locking arrangement (140) has a first rear-handling element (144) with a first projection (144a) and a second rear-handling element (146) with a second projection (146a). The rear-handling elements (144, 146) can each be moved into an unlocking position and a locking position by means of actuating devices on the sliding sashes. However, the projections (144a, 146a) only engage behind each other when the sliding sashes are closed, i.e., pushed together, and both rear-handling elements (144, 146) are in the locking position. To prevent incorrect operation and collision of the rear-handling elements when closing, i.e., when pushing the sliding sashes together, locking mechanisms are preferably provided that block the actuating devices in their unlocking position when the sliding sashes are not closed.Alternatively or in addition to the switching locks, at least one rear grip element (144) can be deflected or displaced by the other rear grip element (146) against the resistance of a return element.