Window Locking Assembly with Motorized Spindle Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window and door systems face challenges in easily and reliably actuating locking devices, especially for large and heavy sashes, where manual operation can be strenuous and require mechanical adjustment of multiple pins, lacking a smooth and pleasant user experience.

Innovation Solution

A motorized auxiliary drive is integrated to support the actuation of the locking device, allowing the actuating element to be operated with less effort, featuring a spindle drive with a spindle and spindle nut that adjusts the locking device between locked and unlocked positions, and is designed to assist both manual and motorized operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual operation of the locking device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force required for operation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking device structureVSAvoidactuating force
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical operation with an electromechanical system. An electric motor is introduced to provide actuating force, converting electrical energy to mechanical motion. The motor drives a spindle mechanism that automatically actuates the locking pins, eliminating the need for users to manually apply large forces to move multiple locking elements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electromechanical transmission system between the user's manual input and the locking mechanism. The spindle drive acts as a mediator that converts small rotational motion from a handle or automated signal into the linear motion required to actuate multiple locking pins, providing mechanical advantage and force multiplication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple locking pins are used for heavy sashes, then the reliability of locking is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidactuation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the actuation of multiple independent locking pins into a single unified mechanical system. The spindle drive simultaneously actuates all locking pins through a common rotational motion, converting one user input action into coordinated movement of multiple locking elements. This maintains the security benefits of multiple locks while simplifying the user's interaction to a single turning motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic automation to the locking system. The electromechanical spindle drive can automatically sequence the actuation of multiple locking pins, adjusting timing and force distribution dynamically. This allows the system to handle complex multi-pin locking sequences that would be cumbersome manually, while maintaining reliability through controlled, sequential engagement of each locking element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If motorized auxiliary drive is added, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating easeVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the locking system into independent modular components: the electric motor as a separate actuator module, the spindle drive as a transmission module, and the existing locking pins as engagement elements. This modular segmentation allows the electromechanical assistance to be added as a distinct subsystem that interfaces with the traditional locking mechanism, making the complexity manageable and the components independently serviceable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables smooth and effortless adjustment of the locking device, reducing the force required for operation and allowing for both manual and motorized control, ensuring easy and reliable actuation even in panic situations, while maintaining the ability to manually open the window or door if needed.

Implementation Method 1

featuring a spindle drive with a spindle and a spindle nut arranged on the spindle and adjustable relative to the spindle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2642050B1Locking assembly of a window or a door for a building
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 EDS ELECTRIC DRIVE SOLUTION GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2642050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2642050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2642050B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The assembly has a closure element e.g. window leaf, for closing a building aperture, which is adjusted between an opened position and a closed position. A pin adjusts the closure element in an unlocked position and locks the closure element in the closed position, in a locked position. An actuatable operating element e.g. manual handle, adjusts the pin. An auxiliary drive (2) supports adjustment of the pin depending on an operation of the operating element. The auxiliary drive comprises a spindle nut adjusted relative to a spindle. The auxiliary drive serves as a servomotor. An independent claim is also included for a method for actuation of a window or a door for a building.