Surface-Mounted Electric Strike with Solenoid Unlock Bar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric door strikes require complex mechanisms and multiple parts to switch between fail safe and fail secure modes, and often necessitate cutting into the door jamb for installation, which complicates installation and increases part count and forces acting on the structure.
Innovation Solution
A surface-mountable electric door strike with a simplified design using a solenoid-operated unlock bar and release pawls that can be easily converted between fail safe and fail secure modes by repositioning the solenoid or using dual solenoids and reversible release pawls, eliminating the need for cutting into the door jamb.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mechanism with multiple parts is used to switch between fail safe and fail secure modes, then the operational reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric strike device is designed with a universal mechanism that can operate in both fail-safe and fail-secure modes using the same basic components. The solenoid-operated unlock bar and release pawls serve multiple functions depending on the positioning, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each mode and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic reconfigurability through the selectively positionable solenoid and repositionable unlock bar, allowing the system to adapt its locking behavior based on operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability enables mode switching without adding permanent complex structures, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
2Strength
If traditional electric door strikes are installed by cutting into the door jamb, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electric strike device is segmented into modular components including a surface-mountable housing, keeper, solenoid, unlock bar, and release pawls that can be assembled separately and then installed as a complete unit. This segmentation allows installation without cutting into the door jamb, as the modular components can be mounted on the surface and interconnected, maintaining structural integrity while simplifying installation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The surface-mountable housing serves as an intermediary structure that provides the necessary mounting interface between the electric strike components and the door jamb. This housing acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for direct cutting into the jamb, as all components are contained within or mounted to the housing, which can be attached using non-invasive mounting methods while still providing structural support
3Reliability
If multiple parts are used for locking and unlocking, then the reliability of the locking mechanism is improved, but the quantity of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and unlocking functions are merged into a unified mechanism where the solenoid-operated unlock bar integrates multiple functions. The unlock bar combines the actuating element, the releasing element, and the positioning element into a single component that works cooperatively with the release pawls and keeper, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the reliability of the locking mechanism through functional integration
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 reduces the number of parts and forces required for locking/unlocking while enabling easy conversion between operational modes and eliminating the need for jamb cutting, enhancing installation simplicity and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A solenoid-operated unlock bar has stops, and the position of this bar, and its stops, establishes whether the keepers are in a locked or unlocked condition
Data Source
AI summary
A surface mounted electric strike for use with an exit device such as a rim panic exit device. The electric strike has a housing with at least one keeper pivotally mounted to the housing. Each keeper has an associated cam with a detent. Release pawls engage detents on the cam in the locked position. A solenoid-operated unlock bar has stops, the position of which establishes whether the keepers are in a locked or unlocked position. The electric strike can be installed in either a fail safe or fail secure mode by locating the stops when the solenoid is de-energized in either a position which blocks or releases the release pawls. Other arrangements for establishing a selected operational mode include use of dual solenoids, use of dual locking bars and reversible release pawls.