Strike Plate Magnet Orientation for Deadbolt Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deadbolt systems cannot reliably verify if a door is properly shut and the deadbolt is engaged, often requiring complex wiring and multiple sensors, which is costly and difficult to install and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A door lock detection system using a magnet attached to a strike plate that changes orientation when the bolt is extended, detected by a magnetometer, which communicates the engagement status to other systems without the need for extensive wiring or complex sensor setups, and optionally includes a door-angle-sensing subsystem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing deadbolt systems use multiple sensors and significant wiring to verify door closure and deadbolt engagement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door closure detection and deadbolt engagement verification into a single integrated sensing mechanism. The magnetometer detects both the position of the magnet (indicating door closure) and the orientation change of the magnet (indicating deadbolt engagement), eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing system complexity while maintaining verification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetometer serves multiple functions: it detects the magnetic field strength to determine door closure status and detects the magnetic field orientation to verify deadbolt engagement. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, reducing device complexity while improving measurement precision.
2Reliability
If existing deadbolt systems install wiring in door frames and door jambs to verify engagement, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. The magnetometer detects changes in the magnetic field caused by the magnet's position and orientation, eliminating the need for physical wiring in door frames and jambs. This substitution maintains verification reliability while dramatically improving ease of manufacture and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet acts as an intermediary that translates mechanical deadbolt engagement into a detectable magnetic field change. Instead of directly wiring the deadbolt mechanism, the system uses the magnet's orientation change as an intermediary signal that the magnetometer can detect, simplifying installation while maintaining reliable verification.
3Measurement precision
If existing systems use a multitude of sensors to verify door and deadbolt status, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges door closure detection and deadbolt engagement verification into a single magnetometer-based system. The controller processes signals from one magnetometer to determine both status, eliminating the complexity of operating multiple separate sensors while maintaining accurate status detection through magnetic field analysis.
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 system reliably verifies deadbolt engagement and door closure without complex wiring or numerous sensors, providing accurate feedback to security and automation systems, and can be retrofitted into existing door frames without additional wiring, working with both manual and electromechanical locks.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetometer configured to detect one or more magnetic fields of the magnet that is flexibly attached to the strike plate in the first orientation and in the second orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock detection system is disclosed. The system includes a magnet flexibly attached to a strike plate. The strike plate includes an opening. The magnet extends across the opening of the strike plate in a first orientation when a bolt does not extend into the opening of the strike plate. The magnet is configured to be deflected from the first orientation to a second orientation, distinct from the first orientation, in response to the bolt being extended into the opening of the strike plate. The system includes a magnetometer configured to detect one or more magnetic fields of the magnet that is flexibly attached to the strike plate in the first orientation and in the second orientation.