Door Closer Valve Feedback Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid actuated door closers lack effective feedback mechanisms for adjusting the speed control, making it difficult for users to precisely manage door closing and opening speeds without separate tools.

Innovation Solution

A valve mechanism with an adjustment screw and a rotatable control knob that provides visual, audible, or tactile feedback to indicate the position and movement of the screw, allowing users to adjust the fluid flow rate and door speed without additional tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional adjustment screws are used without feedback mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to precisely manage door closing and opening speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms (visual indicators, audible signals, or tactile feedback) that provide real-time information to the user about the adjustment screw's position and the resulting door speed. This enables precise control of door closing and opening speeds while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment screw mechanism is designed to be self-indicating through integrated feedback features, allowing users to directly observe or sense the adjustment state without requiring separate measurement tools or additional devices. The feedback system is built into the adjustment mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If separate tools are used to adjust door speed, then the device complexity remains low, but the productivity deteriorates due to additional steps required for adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment screw mechanism is designed to be self-indicating through integrated feedback features, allowing users to directly observe or sense the adjustment state without requiring separate measurement tools or additional devices. The feedback system is built into the adjustment mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms (visual indicators, audible signals, or tactile feedback) that provide real-time information to the user about the adjustment screw's position and the resulting door speed. This enables precise control of door closing and opening speeds while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If no feedback mechanism is provided, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates making it difficult to detect screw position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms (visual indicators, audible signals, or tactile feedback) that provide real-time information to the user about the adjustment screw's position and the resulting door speed. This enables precise control of door closing and opening speeds while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10815712B2Door closer apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 SCHLAGE LOCK CO LLC

AI summary

A valve mechanism according to certain embodiments includes an adjustment screw and a rotatable control knob coupled with the adjustment screw. The valve mechanism includes a feedback mechanism operable to provide at least one of visual feedback, audible feedback, or tactile feedback to indicate movement and/or a positon of the adjustment screw within a door closer body.