Spring-Biased Passive Door Bolt Assembly for Wind-Load Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Improper assembly or installation of hardware in French door entryways can lead to reduced strength under wind loads and sub-optimal compression of sealing components, compromising the secure closure of passive door panels.
Innovation Solution
A bolt assembly with a base mounted to the passive door panel or astragal, featuring a catch with a leaf spring, a bolt that translates between retracted and extended positions, and a spring biasing the bolt to the extended position, along with a catch mechanism to control the bolt's movement, ensuring secure engagement with the entryway frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sliding bolts are used in passive door panels, then the door can be secured to the frame, but the hardware may fail to move into fully engaged position due to improper assembly or installation, reducing strength under wind loads
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt is pre-biased by a spring toward the extended engaged position with the frame. This preliminary action ensures that upon installation, the bolt automatically exerts engagement force without requiring precise manual positioning, preventing the common failure mode where improper assembly leaves the bolt in a partially engaged state that cannot withstand wind loads
Solution Approach 2:
The catch mechanism provides mechanical feedback through its biased position against the bolt. When the bolt moves into the engaged position, it actuates the catch which then provides a detent or locking feedback signal that confirms proper engagement. This feedback mechanism ensures the hardware reaches its fully engaged position and prevents sub-optimal compression states
2Reliability
If traditional sliding bolts are used, then the door can be secured, but sub-optimal compression of sealing components occurs due to improper assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased bolt mechanism is self-actuating and requires no manual adjustment or complex assembly procedures. When installed, the spring automatically pushes the bolt into engagement, and the catch mechanism self-latches into position. This self-service operation eliminates the variability introduced by manual assembly, ensuring consistent compression of sealing components across all installations without requiring skilled labor
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing components are pre-positioned in the astragal or frame, and the spring-biased bolt is pre-configured to apply compression force. Upon assembly, the bolt automatically moves to engage and compress the seals to the designed specification, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring consistent sealing performance
3Reliability
If a spring-biased bolt with catch mechanism is used, then consistent engagement is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring, bolt, and catch mechanism are merged into a single integrated assembly unit that functions as one cohesive hardware component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be handled during installation and ensures that all engagement elements work together in unison, achieving reliable consistent engagement without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The self-actuating spring-biased mechanism eliminates the need for separate actuators, motors, or complex control systems. The mechanical spring and catch provide automatic engagement and latching functions that would otherwise require additional components, achieving high reliability through simple mechanical self-service rather than complex controlled systems
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 provides a robust and consistent mechanism for maintaining the passive door panel in a closed position, enhancing structural integrity and sealing effectiveness against wind loads.
Implementation Method 1
A catch is attached to the base with a leaf spring so that the catch can deflect relative to the base between an engagement position and a release position. The catch is biased toward the engagement position.
Implementation Method 2
A spring is configured to bias the bolt to the extended position. If the bolt is in the retracted position, pressing upon the actuation button would deflect the catch to the release position, the catch would disengage from the pocket, and the spring would push the bolt to the extended position.
Data Source
AI summary
A bolt assembly for securing a passive door panel relative to an entryway frame. The bolt assembly has a base to be fixedly mounted relative to the passive door panel, a catch attached to the base with a leaf spring to deflect relative to the base, and a bolt which is able to translate relative to the base between a retracted position and an extended position for securing the passive door panel. The bolt is biased toward the extended position and selectively maintained in the retracted position by the catch.