Magnetic Door Stop for Secure Communication Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional door chains are not foolproof as they can be easily tampered with or bypassed, and they detract from the aesthetic of door hardware due to their installation height and design.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic security device comprising a floor-carriable and door-carriable portion that allows the door to open past a communication position while preventing unauthorized entry, featuring a reconfigurable design with a blocking member that can be lifted magnetically to stop the door from opening further, and an optional second floor-carriable portion to hold the door in an open position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a door chain is used to prevent the door from opening past a communication position, then door security is improved, but the chain can be easily cut or tampered with by visitors using tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor securityVSAvoidvulnerability to cutting and tampering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical door chain with a magnetic door stop system. The door-carriable portion contains a magnet that magnetically co-operates with a floor-carriable portion to stop the door at the communication position. This magnetic system eliminates the physical chain that can be cut, providing more reliable security against tampering while maintaining the door's ability to open to the communication position for communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If door chains are mounted at shoulder height for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but the aesthetic appeal of the door hardware is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the door stop mechanism from the horizontal plane at shoulder height to the vertical plane near the floor. The floor-carriable portion is positioned vertically in the doorway, and the door-carriable portion with the magnet moves vertically to engage with it. This dimensional change allows the mechanism to be less obtrusive aesthetically while remaining operable, as it can be positioned lower where it is less noticeable in the door's overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If screws are used to attach the door chain to the door frame, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the attachment points can be easily removed compromising security

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the screw-based mechanical attachment system with a magnetic attachment system. The door-carriable portion with the magnet magnetically co-operates with the floor-carriable portion, eliminating the need for screws that can be removed or pulled out. This magnetic connection provides more reliable attachment security while still being relatively easy to install and reconfigure, as it does not require permanent fastening points in the door frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances door security by preventing forced entry and maintaining aesthetic appeal by allowing controlled communication and opening of doors without the need for screws that can be easily removed or cut, while being easy to install and use.

Implementation Method 1

a door-carriable portion magnetically co-operable with the floor-carriable portion to stop the door opening past a communication position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic co-operation: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The magnetic co-operation may be to lift the blocking member to a blocking position to stop the door opening past the communication position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic co-operation: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11795743B2Security device

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 FANTOM HARDWARE PTY LTD

AI summary

A security device for a door in a doorway. The device includes a floor-carriable portion and a door-carriable portion magnetically co-operable with the floor-carriable portion to stop the door opening past a communication position at which the door is positioned to guard the doorway and ajar to enable the communication via the doorway. At least one of the floor-carriable portion and the door-carriable portion is reconfigurable to allow the door to open past the communication position.