Electrical Striker Unit Linkage Friction Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical striker units face downtime issues when subjected to external pressure, such as increased mechanical pressure from doors or debris, causing frictional forces that prevent the electromechanical unit from releasing the pivot latch, leading to failure in changing states from locked to open.
Innovation Solution
The electrical striker unit incorporates a compact leverage system with a low friction member in the blocking arm, allowing the pivot latch to transition from a locked to an open position by reducing the force exerted on the blocking arm through a translational movement mechanism, facilitated by an arm linkage arrangement with a first, second, and blocking arm, and a fourth and fifth arm, enabling secure fixation and movement of the pivot latch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the door is pressed against the door frame with increased sealing strips to reduce energy losses, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the frictional forces on the arm linkage increase causing the electromechanical unit to be unable to release the pivot latch
Solution Approach 1:
A blocking arm is introduced as an intermediary component between the arm linkage and the pivot latch. This blocking arm can selectively block or permit movement of the arm linkage, acting as a mediator that controls force transmission. When positioned to block, it prevents excessive force from reaching the pivot latch, thereby protecting the system while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking arm is designed to be movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its mechanical characteristics: in the blocking position, it limits force transmission to protect against high friction; in the non-blocking position, it allows full force transmission for normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between energy sealing and latch release reliability.
2Reliability
If the blocking arm is designed to securely fix the pivot latch in the locked position, then the locking reliability is improved, but the friction increases preventing the pivot latch from moving to the open position
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking arm serves as a controllable intermediary that regulates force flow. When in the blocking position, it provides secure locking by preventing arm linkage movement. When moved to the non-blocking position, it acts as a release mechanism that permits arm linkage movement with reduced friction, enabling the pivot latch to transition to the open position.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking arm transitions between static (blocking) and dynamic (non-blocking) states. In the static blocking state, it ensures secure locking with high friction. In the dynamic non-blocking state, it allows smooth movement with low friction. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between secure locking and easy release.
3Strength
If the arm linkage is designed to provide strong force for securing the pivot latch, then the locking strength is improved, but the frictional forces increase making it difficult to change state from locked to open
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking arm introduces dynamic control over force transmission. When blocking, it allows strong locking forces to be applied securely. When non-blocking, it creates a low-friction path that facilitates easy state transition. This dynamic modulation of mechanical characteristics resolves the contradiction between locking strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transmission path is segmented into two controllable modes by the blocking arm: a high-force transmission mode for secure locking and a low-friction mode for easy release. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for different operational requirements independently, resolving the contradiction between strong locking and easy state change.
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
This configuration ensures the pivot latch can reliably switch from a locked to an open state even under pressure, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational integrity by reducing friction and optimizing force exchange within the limited housing space.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the blocking part of the blocking arm to bear against the second part of the second arm is provided with a low friction member to minimize the friction in relation to the second part of the second arm when moving the blocking arm from its blocking position to its opening position
Implementation Method 2
The arm linkage arrangement is structured to receive said translational movement and to transfer the movement such that it facilitates both securely fixation of the pivot latch in the locked position and movement of the pivot latch from the locked position to the open position
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~8
Figure 9
AI summary
An electrical striker unit (2) comprising a housing enclosing parts of the unit, the electrical striker unit is configured to be mounted in a door frame such that it cooperates with a lock assembly mounted at a door leaf, and comprises a pivot latch (4) being pivotable between a locked position and an open position. The electrical striker unit is configured to be in two different states, a locked state when the pivot latch (4) is in the locked position and the pivot latch (4) cooperates with the lock assembly mounted at the door leaf such that the door is closed, and in an open state when the pivot latch (4) is in the open position and pivoted into the housing, and it may be possible to open the door. The striker unit (2) further comprises an arm linkage arrangement providing an operational linkage between an electromechanical unit (6) and the pivot latch (4). The arm linkage arrangement is structured transfer movement from a movement rod (8) connected to the electromechanical unit such that it facilitates both securely fixation of the pivot latch (4) in the locked position and movement of the pivot latch (4) from the locked position to the open position, in dependence of translational movement of the movement rod (8).