Strike Plate Locking Bolt Latch Guide Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking catches for electric door openers and striking plates often result in the latch bolt getting caught in gaps between the pawl and strike plate, leading to insecure door closure and opening due to varying rebate and sealing thicknesses.

Innovation Solution

A ratchet design with a locking shoulder featuring a latch guide web aligned with its front edge, which forms a support for the lock latch, preventing early penetration into gaps and ensuring snag-free interaction, combined with adjustable elongated holes for transverse adjustment of the locking pin to accommodate different dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the locking block is made laterally adjustable to compensate for varying rebate thicknesses and seal thicknesses, then the adaptability to different door configurations is improved, but the risk of the latch engaging in a gap between the locking block and strike plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral adjustabilityVSAvoidlatch engagement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a latch guide as an intermediary element between the locking block and the strike plate. This latch guide actively guides the latch during its movement, ensuring it engages properly with the locking block even when the block is laterally adjusted. The latch guide prevents the latch from deviating into gaps, thus maintaining reliable engagement while preserving the lateral adjustability of the locking block.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a latch guide is added to prevent latch jamming in gaps, then the reliability of latch engagement is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelatch engagement reliabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the latch guide functionality with the existing locking block structure. The latch guide is integrated into the locking block assembly rather than being a completely separate component, thereby reducing overall device complexity. This integration allows the latch guide to perform its guiding function while maintaining a compact and simplified structural arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the locking bolt is made adjustable with elongated holes for lateral adjustment, then the adaptability to different door dimensions is improved, but the mechanical stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral adjustment rangeVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the locking block can be laterally positioned within elongated holes and secured at different positions. This dynamic design allows the locking block to adapt to various door dimensions while maintaining mechanical stability through secure fastening at the selected position. The elongated holes provide adjustment flexibility, and the fastening mechanism ensures stability once adjusted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3168394B1Block for a door opener or a strike plate
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 ASSA ABLOY (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3168394B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3168394B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3168394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking bolt (2) for a strike plate (1), wherein the locking bolt (2) is arranged in a receiving chamber (12) for a latch and comprises a base part (21) screwed into the receiving chamber and a locking shoulder (22) which forms a bearing surface for locking a latch. To prevent the latch from becoming entangled in a gap between the strike plate (1) and the locking shoulder (22), it is proposed that the locking shoulder (22) has a latch guide (3) on its outer surface (22a) which projects from the outer surface of the locking shoulder (22) in a plane parallel to the base part (21).