Exit Device Rod Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-point latching devices require the door to be removed from the doorway for rod adjustments, making installation and maintenance time-consuming and leaving the doorway unsecure.
Innovation Solution
A rod coupler system that includes a rotatable rod receptacle with internal threads and a rotatable rod adjuster, allowing for the adjustment of rod positions relative to the actuator without removing the door, by threading or unthreading the rod through rotation of the rod adjuster and receptacle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is removed from the doorway for rod adjustments, then the rod positions can be adjusted, but the installation and maintenance time increases and the doorway becomes unsecure
Solution Approach 1:
The rod adjustment mechanism is extracted from the traditional door removal process and integrated into the rod coupler assembly. The rod adjuster can be operated independently through the rod coupler without requiring door removal, separating the adjustment function from the door assembly itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod coupler acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rod and the adjustment system. It provides a interface that allows rod position adjustment through rotational movement of the rod adjuster, mediating between the rod and the adjustment operation without requiring door removal.
2Ease of operation
If the door is removed from the doorway for rod adjustments, then the rod positions can be adjusted, but the doorway security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment function is extracted from the door assembly and implemented through the rod coupler mechanism. This allows adjustment operations to be performed on the rod independently without compromising the door's security function or requiring door removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod coupler serves as an intermediary that enables rod adjustment while the door remains installed and secure. It provides a mechanism to adjust rod positions without exposing the doorway to security risks associated with door removal.
3Ease of operation
If the rod receptacle and rod adjuster rotate about different axes, then the rod can be threaded and unthreaded without removing the door, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism transitions from single-axis rotation to dual-axis rotation. The rod receptacle rotates about a first axis to thread the rod, while the rod adjuster rotates about a second axis to drive the rod receptacle. This dimensional change enables independent control of threading and adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism employs dynamic rotational movement where the rod adjuster's rotation about the second axis corresponds to the rod receptacle's rotation about the first axis. This dynamic coupling allows the system to perform threading and adjustment functions through coordinated rotational movements.
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
Enables the adjustment of vertical rod positions within a door frame without removing the door, simplifying installation and maintenance while maintaining security.
Implementation Method 1
the rod receptacle includes an internal thread threadedly engaged with the threaded end of the first rod
Implementation Method 2
rotation of the rod adjuster about the second axis is configured to rotate the rod receptacle about the first axis
Data Source
AI summary
A latching device may include an actuator configured to actuate between an actuated state and an unactuated state, a first rod including a threaded end, and a first rod coupler operatively coupled to the actuator and the first rod and configured to transfer force between the actuator and the first rod. The first rod coupler may include a rod receptacle configured to rotate about a first axis and to at least partially receive and engaged the first rod. The first rod coupler may also include a rod adjuster rotatably coupled to the rod receptacle and configured to rotate about a second axis to rotate the rod receptacle about the first axis. The rotation of the rod receptacle may change the position of the first rod relative to the actuator.