Adjustable Dead-Latching Bolt Mechanism for Door Sag Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exit devices often lack precise adjustment mechanisms for the latch device, leading to inconsistent locking engagement due to variations in door heights and door frame recess depths, and over time, door sag and wear can alter the latch's extension position, compromising security by preventing dead-latching capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A latch mechanism with an outer and inner housing, featuring a driver and driven component system that allows rotational displacement about a first axis to adjust the latch bolt's position along a non-parallel second axis, enabling precise extension and retraction of the latch bolt into a mating recess.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the latch device extension position is fixed during installation, then installation is simplified, but the latch cannot adapt to door sag and wear over time, compromising security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an adjustable latch mechanism that transitions from a fixed position to a dynamically adjustable position. The latch can be repositioned along the rod's longitudinal axis to compensate for door sag and wear over time, while maintaining installation simplicity through a user-friendly adjustment mechanism that doesn't require disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables change in the latch extension parameter (distance from door surface) to adapt to varying conditions. By allowing the latch position parameter to be adjusted after installation, the system maintains reliable engagement despite changes in door geometry due to sag or wear.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the latch extension distance is adjusted to accommodate different door configurations, then adaptability improves, but the adjustment mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the latch position to be changed along the rod's longitudinal axis. This dynamic capability enables adaptation to different door configurations and depths without requiring a complex multi-component adjustment system, as the adjustment is integrated into the existing latch structure.
3Ease of operation
If adjustment is made along the same axis as latch travel, then adjustment is simple, but dead-latching capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustment along the longitudinal axis of the rod (one dimension) while the latch travels perpendicular to this axis (another dimension). This dimensional separation allows the latch to achieve dead-latching capability by extending fully into the recess while maintaining simple adjustment along the rod's length, without compromising security.
Data Source
AI summary
A latch mechanism having an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance to which a latch bolt extends into a mating recess. The adjustment mechanism may include a driver component and a driven component. Rotation of the driver component about a first axis may displace the driven component, thereby causing the position of the latch bolt to be adjusted along a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis. According to certain embodiments, the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis. The latch mechanism may also include an inner housing that is displaced as the latch bolt is extended into, and retracted from, a mating recess in an adjacent structure. Further, the position of the inner housing may remain generally static as the position of the latch bolt is adjusted along the second axis via operation of the adjustment mechanism.