Spring Latch Door Lock Assembly for Quieter, Simpler Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door locks have numerous components, leading to inconvenient fabrication, high manufacturing costs, and generate noise during the locking process due to collisions.
Innovation Solution
A door lock device with a housing, spring latch, and retaining biasing assembly, featuring a spring latch that rotates between projecting and retreated positions, and a retaining member that engages/disengages to prevent rotation, along with a speed-reduction mechanism to minimize noise and a buffering system to prevent direct collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional door locks use multiple components to achieve locking function, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch body, retaining member, and biasing spring into a single integrated assembly. The retaining member is formed as an integral part of the latch body, and the biasing spring is pre-loaded within the same component structure, reducing the total number of separate parts while maintaining the locking function
Solution Approach 2:
The latch body serves multiple functions: it acts as the main locking component, incorporates the retaining member for engagement/disengagement, and houses the biasing spring mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional door locks use multiple components with precise assembly, then the locking precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch body is designed with segmented functional zones: the retaining member portion for engagement, the biasing spring chamber, and the actuation interface. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently while maintaining overall precision
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing spring is pre-loaded and pre-positioned within the latch body during manufacturing, eliminating the need for precise field assembly. The retaining member is pre-formed with engagement surfaces that ensure precise positioning when assembled
3Speed
If conventional door locks allow direct collision during locking, then the speed of operation is improved, but the noise generated increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing spring is pre-loaded to provide controlled resistance during the engagement of the retaining member with the latch hole. This cushioning effect absorbs the impact energy and reduces noise while maintaining fast operation
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing spring acts as an intermediary element between the retaining member and the latch hole, mediating the engagement process by providing controlled force that reduces direct collision and associated noise
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 reduces noise during operation, simplifies fabrication, and lowers manufacturing costs while allowing the lock to be adaptable to both inward and outward-opening doors.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing spring disposed to bias the retaining member to the retaining position and to keep the retaining member in the retaining position
Implementation Method 2
The spring latch is rotatably and movably disposed in the receiving space adjacent to the latch hole to be pressed to rotate and move between a projecting position and a retreated position
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock device includes a spring latch rotatably and movably disposed within a housing to be pressed to rotate and move between a projecting position, where the spring latch projects outwardly of a latch hole of the housing, and a retreated position, where the spring latch retreats inwardly into the latch hole. A retaining member is pivotably disposed to the housing, and is operable to rotate between a retaining position to engage with the spring latch to prevent rotation of the spring latch in the projecting position, and a releasing position to disengage from the spring latch. A biasing spring is disposed to bias the retaining member to the retaining position and to keep the retaining member in the retaining position.