Electric Strike Bearing Element Lateral Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric strikes are prone to damage when large forces are exerted on them, particularly due to the small size of components like the axle and anchor elements, which can lead to structural limitations and reduced design freedom.
Innovation Solution
The electric strike incorporates a bearing element to prevent lateral motion of the lock lever, distributing forces away from the pivot axis and using a solenoid with a fixed core electromagnet to maximize magnetic attraction, ensuring robust operation and reliability, with options for fail-secure or fail-safe configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the axle is made small to reduce device complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the strength and reliability of the axle deteriorate due to excessive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bearing element as an intermediary component between the lock lever and the axle. This bearing element absorbs and distributes the excessive forces, particularly lateral forces, that would otherwise be transmitted directly to the small axle. The bearing element acts as a mediator that protects the axle from damage while maintaining the compact design.
2Device complexity
If the anchor elements are made small to reduce device complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the strength and reliability of the anchor elements deteriorate under large forces
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element serves as an intermediary that intercepts and redistributes the large forces before they reach the small anchor elements. By providing this intermediate structure, the patent protects the anchor elements from excessive stress while maintaining the overall compactness of the device.
3Reliability
If the axle is oriented to allow pulling forces only, then the reliability under specific force directions is improved, but the design freedom and adaptability of the strike deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element acts as an intermediary that decouples the directional force requirements from the axle orientation. It absorbs lateral and pushing forces, allowing the axle to maintain its optimized pulling-force orientation while the overall device gains design freedom and adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the lock lever is allowed to move laterally under force, then the adaptability to different force directions is improved, but the reliability of the pivot axis connection deteriorates due to excessive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element serves as an intermediary that protects the pivot axis connection from excessive forces. It absorbs and redistributes lateral forces that would otherwise be transmitted directly to the pivot axis, maintaining the reliability of the connection while allowing the lock lever to handle various force directions.
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 solution enhances the robustness and reliability of the electric strike, allowing for more design flexibility and reducing the risk of damage from excessive forces, while maintaining efficient operation and adaptability to power failures.
Implementation Method 1
using a solenoid with a fixed core electromagnet to maximize magnetic attraction
Data Source
AI summary
An electric strike having a keeper arranged to pivot about a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, a lock lever for locking the keeper in a door-locking position, the lock lever being arranged to pivot about a second shaft extending in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the backside of the strike; and an actuation mechanism for actuating the lock lever. The strike is provided with a bearing element arranged to bear against the lock lever. The bearing element acts as a stop against possible lateral motions of the lock lever. Such motions may be induced by trying to force open the door lock when the lock lever is in the locking position. By providing the bearing element, it is avoided that the forces due to these lateral motions are exerted onto the second shaft that connects the lock lever to the strike.