Transverse Concealed Latch Pivoting for Door Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concealed latch assemblies in multi-point exit devices often compromise door strength due to the large inner cavities required for component displacement, which can reduce material thickness and increase costs when reinforced with metal casings, affecting the ornamental appearance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A latch mechanism with a pivotally displaced latch apparatus and a cam device that operates between engagement and disengagement positions, allowing secure door locking and unlocking without inhibiting the displacement of the latch apparatus, minimizing space requirements and maintaining door strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If concealed latch assemblies use traditional linear displacement mechanisms, then the latches can be retracted from locked positions, but large inner cavities are required which compromise door strength and material thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The latch apparatus transitions from linear displacement to pivotal displacement about a transverse axis, changing the dimension of motion from longitudinal to lateral. This allows the latch to engage and disengage from the door strike by pivoting rather than moving linearly, significantly reducing the space required in the door's inner cavity while maintaining full locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch apparatus uses a cam mechanism that converts rotational motion into controlled pivotal displacement. The cam's eccentric geometry dynamically controls the latch's movement path, enabling compact retraction and engagement motions that require minimal cavity space while ensuring reliable locking and unlocking operations.
2Volume of moving object
If the inner region or cavity is enlarged to accommodate concealed components, then the latch mechanism can operate, but the material thickness of the door is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the latch displacement from linear to pivotal motion about a transverse axis, the mechanism requires significantly less volumetric space within the door cavity. The pivotal motion allows the latch to sweep through its engagement arc in a compact radius, reducing the overall cavity volume needed and preserving door material thickness.
3Strength
If metal casings or covers are added to reinforce door portions, then door strength is improved, but cost and ornamental appearance are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the source of the problem by eliminating the need for large inner cavities through pivotal displacement mechanics. By removing the space requirement issue at its source, the need for costly metal reinforcement casings is eliminated, preserving both door strength and aesthetic appearance without additional manufacturing complexity or cost.
4Reliability
If the cam device is positioned to engage the latch apparatus, then the latch is prevented from displacing, but this may interfere with latch operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism dynamically controls latch displacement through its rotational position. When the cam is in its engagement position, it prevents latch movement to maintain secure locking. When rotated to the disengagement position, it allows free latch movement for unlocking. This dynamic control ensures both locking reliability and operational ease without interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A latch mechanism having a latch apparatus that is pivotally displaced about a latch axis and a cam device is that pivotally displaced along a transverse cam axis. The cam device is configured to operably engage the latch apparatus so as to at least assist in securing the latch apparatus in a locked position. When the latch apparatus is to be displaced to an unlocked position, the cam device may be pivoted about the transverse cam axis to a position in which the cam device does not impede with the pivotal displacement of the latch apparatus. The latch apparatus may also be configured to prevent the pivotal displacement of the cam device when the latch apparatus is in the unlocked position. According to other embodiments, the latch apparatus may be pivotally displaced about a transverse latch axis by the displacement of a latch link.