Electrical Door Strike Pressure Release Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical door strikes face issues with being wedged and unable to release due to pressure, particularly in space-constrained environments, leading to operational failures in energy-efficient houses with significant pressure differentials.
Innovation Solution
A compact electrical door strike design featuring a movable strike keeper with a barrel, a first movable member shaped like a ball, and a second rotatable member, allowing the strike keeper to rotate between locked and open positions, reducing friction and facilitating pressure-induced release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional rigid door strike is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot be released under pressure and causes frictional wedging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the static rigid door strike into a dynamic system with a rotatable second member that can change its radial extent based on pressure conditions. The second member rotates between a first position (blocking the ball, locked state) and a second position (allowing ball movement, released state), enabling the mechanism to adapt dynamically to pressure differentials while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the second member by rotating it between two positions. At the first position, the radial extent blocks the ball's path; at the second position, the radial extent allows the ball to move freely. This parameter change (rotation angle) enables the mechanism to transition between locked and released states under pressure without complex control systems.
2Reliability
If existing automatic door strikes that release under pressure are used, then pressure release is achieved, but the device becomes large, contains many parts and is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the ball (first movable member) inside the barrel, and the second rotatable member inside the same barrel structure. Both members share the same cylindrical space, with the ball positioned near the opening and the second member positioned further away along the central axis. This nested arrangement achieves pressure release functionality in a compact volume without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The second rotatable member serves multiple functions: it blocks the ball's path when in the first position (locking function), allows ball movement when in the second position (release function), and its rotation itself acts as the opening mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate actuators or complex mechanisms found in conventional automatic door strikes.
3Reliability
If the second member has constant radial extent, then the structure is simple, but the ball cannot be forced to stay in specific positions for locking
Solution Approach 1:
The second member has an asymmetric radial extent that varies with rotation angle. The radial extent is larger at the first position (blocking position) and smaller at the second position (release position). This asymmetric geometry naturally guides the ball into the correct position based on the rotation angle, providing reliable locking control without requiring additional positioning mechanisms or complex control systems.
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 design enables reliable and pressure-induced release of the door strike, reducing friction and operational force required, while maintaining compactness and cost-effectiveness, even in space-limited installations.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure against the door creates frictional forces in the locking mechanism of the door strike, which causes the latter to wedge and not be released.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention describes an electrical door strike ( 1) having a locking mechanism (4) operating under pressure, comprising a door strike house (2), a movable strike keeper (3), a barrel (8) in the door strike house, a first movable member (10), shaped like a ball, a second rotatable member ( 11) positioned so as to cut off the central axis of the barrel, and with a rotational axis (16) substantially orthogonal to and crossing the central axis (13) of the barrel and a rotation mechanism for rotating the second member. The second moveable member har radial extent that varies with angular position. Thus the rotation of the second rotatable member (11) causes the first moveable member (10) to be able to move in the barrel between a locked and unlocked position with less influence from pressure on the door.