Modular Surface-Mounted Electric Strikes for Uncut Door Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locking devices, particularly overhead mounted strikes, face installation challenges due to the need for extensive cutting and modification of door frames, which weakens the structure and increases installation time and cost, and can result in dangerous situations if the latch is improperly installed.
Innovation Solution
A modular surface mounted electric strike system with a universal base plate and interchangeable modules that allow for secure attachment without cutting the door frame, featuring adjustable keeper assemblies and actuator assemblies that can be positioned to accommodate various door latch spacings and handle configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard overhead surface mounted strike is used, then the door can be secured in a closed position, but extensive cutting and modification of the door frame is required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The electric strike is divided into modular components: a base plate that mounts to the door frame, and a strike body that attaches to the base plate. This segmentation allows the base plate to be installed without cutting the frame, while the strike body provides the locking function, resolving the contradiction between reliable locking and easy installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate serves as an intermediary component between the door frame and the strike body. It provides a mounting surface that doesn't require cutting the frame, while still enabling secure attachment of the strike body, thus facilitating installation without compromising locking reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If significant cuts are made to the door header to accommodate rotating keepers, then the electric strike can be installed, but the door header is weakened and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strike mechanism is segmented into a base plate and a strike body with rotatable keepers. The base plate attaches to the uncut door frame, while the strike body contains the rotatable keepers needed for adaptability. This segmentation preserves door header strength while maintaining the adaptability of the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate acts as an intermediary that mounts to the intact door frame, while the strike body provides the rotatable keeper mechanism. This separates the mounting function from the locking function, allowing adaptability without cutting the door header.
3Reliability
If the latch is over-inserted in the strike cavity, then the door locking appears secure, but the door cannot be manually opened by depressing the tubular door handle
Solution Approach 1:
The keepers are designed to be rotatable rather than fixed. They can dynamically adjust between a locked position (where they engage the latch securely) and an unlocked position (where they release the latch to allow manual opening). This dynamic capability ensures both secure locking and easy manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the keepers is changed by rotation. When rotated to the locked position, they provide strong latch retention. When rotated to the unlocked position, they allow the latch to be released. This parameter change (angular position) resolves the contradiction between secure retention and easy opening.
4Ease of manufacture
If a fixed spacing electric strike is used, then the installation is simple, but it cannot accommodate various spaced door latches and handle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The keepers are made rotatable rather than fixed in position. This allows them to adapt to different latch spacings by rotating to appropriate angular positions, providing versatility while maintaining a simple fixed-base-plate installation structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The strike body containing the rotatable keepers is separated from the base plate. This segmentation allows the keepers to be adjusted independently to accommodate different latch configurations, while the base plate remains a simple fixed component for easy installation.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A modular surface mounted electric strike system is provided. The system comprises a universal base plate having first and second sides, each having first and second mounting points. Each electric strike module includes a header, a keeper assembly, and an actuator assembly configured for moving between a keeper blocking mode and a second mode. When the first and second latches are separated a first distance, the first and second electric strike modules are attached to the first mounting locations on the respective first and second sides of the base plate. When the first and second latches are separated a second distance, the first electric strike module is attached to the second mounting location on either the first or second sides of the base plate, and the second electric strike module is attached to the second mounting location on the other of the first or second side of the base plate.