Adjustable Strike Plate with Eccentric Cam Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable strike plates for doors require complex adjustments and often protrude from the jamb, limiting their versatility and compatibility with various locks and frames, and can become misaligned if screws are loosened.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable strike plate design featuring a profiled plate with an upper and lower plate, an adjustment unit with an eccentric cam, and an abutment apparatus, allowing for translational movement without protruding components, ensuring correct alignment and secure fixing without interference during door operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the strike plate is fixed using screws that can be completely tightened, then the strike plate achieves immobility, but even loosening one screw allows small translational movements putting it out of alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The strike plate is divided into two separate plates: an upper plate fixed to the jamb and a lower plate carrying the openings. This segmentation allows the lower plate to be independently adjustable relative to the upper plate while maintaining overall stability through the coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between the upper and lower plates is made dynamic through the eccentric cam mechanism. The cam allows controlled translational movement between the plates during installation for alignment, then locks into a stable position when tightened, providing both adjustability and immobility as needed.
2Ease of operation
If adjustment assemblies are used to simplify installation and adjustment operations, then ease of operation improves, but the assemblies protrude from the strike plate limiting versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism (eccentric cam) is nested within the thickness of the strike plate assembly. The cam fits between the upper and lower plates, allowing adjustment functionality to be integrated into the plate structure itself rather than protruding externally, thus maintaining versatility with various locks and frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism operates in the thickness dimension of the strike plate rather than protruding in the horizontal plane. By utilizing the vertical dimension (thickness) for the adjustment mechanism, the external profile remains clean and compatible with standard door frames and locks.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex adjustment operations are performed to fine-tune installation position, then manufacturing precision improves, but the complexity of the adjustment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eccentric cam mechanism is designed to be self-aligning. As the cam rotates and the lower plate moves relative to the upper plate, the geometry of the cam profile automatically guides the openings into correct alignment with the lock components, eliminating the need for complex measurement and adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism works by changing the positional parameters of the lower plate relative to the upper plate through the rotation of the eccentric cam. This simple parameter change (rotation of cam) produces the desired alignment effect without requiring complex adjustment operations.
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 enables quick, easy, and precise alignment of the lock's spring latch and bolt with the strike plate openings, providing high versatility, flexibility, and secure installation without protruding components, ensuring correct alignment and stability throughout door operation.
Implementation Method 1
said adjustment unit comprises an eccentric cam, said cam resting against the inner profile of said seat, a movement of said cam causing the translational movement of said lower plate
Implementation Method 2
at least one abutment apparatus, arranged underneath said lower plate, which has a threaded hole, said hole accommodating a shank of a screw the head of which is arranged in an eyelet defined in said upper plate, the rotation of said screw making it possible to stably couple the upper plate to the abutment apparatus
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
An adjustable strike plate for locks that comprises at least one profiled plate (2), substantially rectangular, provided with at least one through opening (3) and with means (4) for fixing to a jamb. According to the invention the strike plate (1) comprises two plates, one upper one (5) and one lower one (6). Conveniently, the width of the opening (7) of the lower plate (6) is substantially less than the width of the opening (8) defined in the upper plate (5). Moreover, in the installation configuration the opening (7) of the lower plate (6) is comprised within the outline (9) of the opening (8) of the upper plate (5). At least one adjustment unit (10) is arranged between the upper plate (5) and the lower plate (6), for the selective translational movement of the lower plate (6) with respect to the upper plate (5). The upper plate (5) comprises a seat (11) for the movable reception of the adjustment unit (10) when the outer, surface (12) of the upper plate (5) is coplanar with the outer face (13) of the unit (10) itself. The unit (10) comprises at least one protrusion (14) which is inserted in a respective seat (15) in the lower plate (6): a movement of the unit (10) determines a shift of the protrusion (14) and, consequently, of the lower plate (6) with a modification of the position of the opening (7) of the lower plate (6) with respect to the opening (8) of the upper plate (5).