Door Hardware Spring Assist for Horizontal Lever Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing doorknob systems lack compact and self-contained designs, often requiring complex mechanisms with torsional springs and retainers, and do not provide a positive stop for maintaining a horizontal lever position.
Innovation Solution
A door hardware spring assist system featuring a housing with rotational actuators and springs, where actuator tabs abut the springs from different directions to provide resistance force, ensuring balanced operation and preventing over-rotation, with a latch stabilizer for added stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional torsional spring mechanisms with retainers are used, then door hardware can be supported in a horizontal position, but the device complexity increases and the design is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spring assist mechanism, actuator, and housing into a single integrated assembly. The spring is directly mounted to the actuator within the housing, eliminating the need for separate retainers and multiple mounting components. This merging of components reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the function of supporting door hardware in a horizontal position through the spring's mechanical assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the spring is positioned within the housing and the actuator is positioned within the housing, with the spring abutting the actuator. This nesting arrangement allows the spring assist mechanism to be compactly contained within the existing door hardware housing, achieving a space-efficient design that does not increase overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If existing doorknob systems are used, then door operation is possible, but they lack a positive stop mechanism for maintaining horizontal lever position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the spring to abut the actuator in a way that creates a pre-loaded mechanical bias. This pre-positioning of the spring against the actuator establishes a positive stop mechanism that resists deviation from the horizontal lever position, providing stability before any operational disturbance occurs. The spring's pre-compressed state creates a restoring force that maintains the desired horizontal position.
3Volume of moving object
If compact spring assist designs are implemented, then device size is reduced, but mechanical stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the spring, actuator, and housing into an integrated assembly, the patent achieves a compact design where the spring assist mechanism fits within the existing door hardware footprint. The merging of components eliminates the need for additional mounting space while maintaining mechanical stability through the direct structural connection between the spring, actuator, and housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of the spring within the housing and the actuator within the housing, with the spring abutting the actuator, creates a compact configuration. This nesting maximizes the use of available internal space within the housing, achieving volume reduction while the direct abutment connection between spring and actuator ensures mechanical stability is maintained despite the compact size.
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 system provides a compact, mechanically stable, and balanced operation for both unidirectional and bidirectional doorknob systems, ensuring the lever or knob returns to a neutral position and preventing over-rotation, suitable for various door hardware configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring and a second spring provided within the first cavity, wherein the first actuator tab abuts the first spring and the second actuator tab abuts the second spring
Data Source
AI summary
A door hardware mounting system & spring assist is provided. The door hardware mounting system & spring assist includes a housing attachable to a knob or a lever, the housing having a cavity therein; a rotational actuator provided within the cavity, the rotational actuator having a first actuator tab and a second actuator tab; and a first spring and a second spring provided within the cavity, wherein the first actuator tab abuts the first spring and the second actuator tab abuts the second spring.