Telescoping Deadbolt Cushioning Structure for Quiet Door Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The noise and potential damage caused by the deadbolt slamming against the door frame or strike plate when doors are closed, due to variations in strike plate lip profiles and latch angles, which can also affect the security and safety of door closure.
Innovation Solution
A cushioning structure with a telescoping design, incorporating springs or foam, is attached to the door frame to absorb the impact of the deadbolt, featuring a first housing affixed to the frame and a second housing that slides relative to the first, compressing the biasing structure to dampen the impact and reduce noise and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the deadbolt is extended before door closure, then security is improved, but noise and damage to the frame/strike plate increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning structure with a soft material surface is installed on the door frame at the strike plate location. This cushioning surface absorbs the impact when the extended deadbolt contacts the frame, preventing the loud banging noise and potential damage to the frame, strike plate, or door that would otherwise occur during closure
2Ease of operation
If the strike plate lip is positioned beyond the frame, then engagement is facilitated, but damage to the door core and increased torque on lock screws occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning structure acts as an intermediary element between the deadbolt and the strike plate/frame assembly. The soft material surface of the cushioning structure receives the deadbolt impact, mediating the force transmission to reduce torque on the lock screws and prevent damage to the door core while still facilitating proper engagement
3Ease of operation
If the door closing speed is increased to overcome frame misalignment, then closure ease is improved, but noise from metal latch hitting metal frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning structure converts the harmful metal-to-metal impact into a beneficial soft material impact. When the door closes, the cushioning structure's soft surface absorbs the impact energy, transforming the harmful noise-generating collision into a quiet, controlled deformation of the cushioning material while still accommodating frame misalignment issues
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 cushioning structure effectively reduces noise and damage by compressing upon deadbolt impact, allowing for smoother door closure and enhanced security by minimizing the force exerted on the door frame and strike plate.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing structure provided therebetween, the biasing structure comprising foam and/or a spring; wherein the second housing is slidable relative to the first housing, so that when the deadbolt impacts the deadbolt cushioning structure the biasing structure compresses
Implementation Method 2
the biasing structure compresses and the second housing slides relative to the first structure
Data Source
AI summary
A deadbolt cushioning system includes: a deadbolt cushioning structure attached to a door frame so that when a door with a fully extended deadbolt closes from a wide open position toward a closed position the extended deadbolt impacts the deadbolt cushioning structure. The deadbolt cushioning structure for preventing the extended deadbolt from impacting the door frame and for preventing the extended deadbolt from impacting a strike plate attached to the door frame. The deadbolt cushioning structure may include at least first and second telescoping housings with a biasing structure (e.g., foam and/or spring) provided therebetween. When the deadbolt impacts the deadbolt cushioning structure the biasing structure compresses and the second housing slides relative to the first structure and moves toward the face of the door frame to which the first housing is affixed.