Access Panel Travel-Stop Bracket for Door Detachment Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional access panels suffer from the issue of the door detaching from the fixed frame during opening, leading to potential damage and safety hazards due to accidental misalignment of lateral appendages, necessitating frequent reattachment and posing risks of injury.

Innovation Solution

The access panel incorporates travel-stop brackets with elastic clips and retaining plates to secure lateral appendages, ensuring they remain attached to the fixed frame during movement, preventing detachment and enhancing stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the door is allowed to tilt freely during opening, then the door can be easily opened, but the lateral appendages may detach from the fixed frame causing the door to fall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of door openingVSAvoiddoor attachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The travel-stop bracket applies preliminary anti-action by providing a stop edge that prevents the lateral appendage from moving beyond a predetermined position during door opening. This counteracts the tendency of the appendage to detach due to misalignment, allowing free tilting motion while preventing harmful detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If travel-stop brackets are added to prevent detachment, then door safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor attachment reliabilityVSAvoidaccess panel structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The travel-stop bracket is segmented into distinct functional elements: a body portion that attaches to the fixed frame, a stop edge that limits appendage travel, and coupling means that connect to the lateral appendage. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The travel-stop bracket acts as an intermediary element between the fixed frame and the lateral appendage. It mediates the interaction by providing a controlled connection that allows necessary motion while preventing harmful detachment, thus adding minimal complexity while significantly improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the lateral appendages are secured to prevent detachment, then safety is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor attachment reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling means of the travel-stop bracket employs self-service through elastic clips that automatically engage with the lateral appendage during assembly. The elastic nature of the clips allows them to snap into place without requiring additional fastening operations, reducing assembly time while ensuring reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 safe and reliable access panel that reduces the risk of door detachment, ensuring stable operation and quick assembly, while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The coupling means comprise elastic clips suitable for being elastically fitted in the longitudinal groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4685327A1Access panel comprising a travel-stop bracket for the panel door
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 AKIFIX SPA
  • EP4685327A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4685327A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4685327A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Access panel (100) comprising a fixed frame (1) suitable for being fixed into an opening provided in a wall or a ceiling behind which a compartment is disposed; said fixed frame (1) has a front section (1a), a rear section (1b) and two lateral sections (1c, 1d); said access panel (100) further comprises a door (2) mounted on the fixed frame (1) comprising two lateral appendages (3) in coaxial position and suitable for resting on the fixed frame (1) to hang the hinged door (2) to the fixed frame (1) and move the door (2) between a closed position and an open position, and locking means (71, 72) to lock the door (2) in closed position; for each lateral appendage (3), the access panel (100) comprises a travel-stop bracket (5) suitable for stopping a travel of the lateral appendage (3) of the door (2) toward the front section (1a) of the fixed frame (1) when the door (2) is in open position.