Electric Door Strike Keeper Pivot Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically-controlled strikes for doors with mortise locksets lack a mechanism to positively drive the dead latch release platform back to its initial position, and they do not have a reliable spring latch lifter feature to ensure smooth unlatching and re-latching operations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electrically-controlled strike includes a pivotable spring latch keeper that drives the dead latch release platform to its initial position and a spring latch lifter feature that uses a pivotable member or an internal and external ramp system to ensure the spring latch is reliably lifted out of the entry chamber during unlatching, with an angularly disposed ridge to facilitate smooth ascension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivotable spring latch keeper with a spring latch lifter feature is used, then the reliability of unlatching operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring latch lifter feature is integrated directly into the spring latch keeper structure, merging two functions (keeping and lifting) into a single component. This reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the reliability of the unlatching operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring latch keeper is designed to pivot between locked and unlocked positions, and the lifter feature dynamically engages with the spring latch during the pivoting motion. This dynamic mechanism ensures reliable unlatching while using a compact, multi-functional structure.
2Ease of operation
If an internal ramp and external ramp system is implemented, then the smoothness of latch ascension is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp surfaces are designed with curved profiles rather than sharp angles, creating a smooth transition path for the spring latch. This curved geometry guides the latch bolt smoothly from the engaged to disengaged position, improving operation ease while using standard machining processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp system is divided into an internal ramp portion and an external ramp portion, allowing each to be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by enabling modular production while maintaining the continuous smooth surface needed for reliable operation.
3Reliability
If the spring latch keeper positively drives the dead latch release platform, then the reliability of dead latch release is improved, but the mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring latch keeper is designed to engage and drive the dead latch release platform during its pivoting motion before the spring latch is fully released. This preliminary action ensures the dead latch is reliably positioned for release, improving reliability while using the existing pivoting motion of the keeper.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring latch keeper serves multiple functions: it holds the spring latch in the engaged position, drives the dead latch release platform during pivoting, and provides the lifting action for unlatching. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing mechanical complexity while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator-controlled electric strike for operating in conjunction with a spring latch of a lockset is provided. The strike comprises a housing having an entry chamber therein, and a spring latch keeper disposed in the entry chamber for movement between a keeper locked position and a keeper unlocked position. The spring latch keeper is rotatable about a keeper axis of rotation. The spring latch keeper includes: a keeper face configured for abutting contact with the spring latch when the spring latch is disposed in the entry chamber and the spring latch is in the engaged position; a second surface recessed from the keeper face, and a spring latch contact ridge positioned between the keeper face and the second surface, wherein the spring latch contact ridge is disposed at a non-perpendicular angle from the keeper axis of rotation.