Adjustable Guide Device for Sliding Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guide devices for sliding elements, such as sliding doors, are inefficient in lateral adjustment, requiring significant effort and multiple attempts, with limited adjustment range and risk of automatic loosening under force, while also being bulky and visually apparent.

Innovation Solution

A slim, adjustable guide device with a rotatable guide part connected to a mounting part via a bolt-shaped joint, featuring structured contact surfaces for secure positioning and easy adjustment, allowing lateral displacement and secure fixation, even under force, with a design that minimizes visual impact and accommodates in a guide groove.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the guide device uses a traditional mounting part with longitudinal slots for adjustment, then lateral displacement is possible, but the adjustment process requires significant effort and multiple attempts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment processVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide part is made rotatable relative to the mounting part through a joint connection, transforming the static adjustment process into a dynamic rotational movement. This allows the guide device to be adjusted by simply rotating the guide part to the desired position rather than repeatedly loosening and repositioning components, significantly reducing adjustment effort and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the guide device uses an eccentrically designed guide part for adjustment, then lateral displacement is achieved, but the mounting part becomes voluminous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidmounting part volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is divided into two separate functional parts: a mounting part for secure floor attachment and a guide part for interacting with the sliding element. This segmentation allows the mounting part to remain compact while the adjustment function is achieved through the rotational joint between the separated components, eliminating the need for a voluminous eccentric mounting part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the guide part is rotatably mounted for adjustment, then lateral displacement is possible, but the guide part may become detached automatically under force

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The joint connection between the mounting part and guide part is designed to change its state based on applied forces. During adjustment, the joint allows rotational movement when forces are applied in the adjustment direction. During operation, the same joint maintains a fixed rotational position that resists detaching forces, effectively changing the parameter of connection stability based on the operational phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Volume of stationary object

If the guide device is designed to be slim and accommodate in a guide groove, then visual impact is minimized, but adjustment access may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide device sizeVSAvoidadjustment access
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting part and guide part are designed with asymmetric geometries that allow the compact guide device to be accommodated in the guide groove while providing sufficient access space for adjustment operations. The asymmetric design enables the joint connection to be positioned such that it can be easily accessed for rotational adjustment without requiring the entire device to be oversized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3379013B1Adjustable guiding device for a sliding element
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 HAWA SLIDING SOLUTIONS AG
  • EP3379013B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3379013B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3379013B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The adjustable guide device (1), which serves to guide a sliding element (8), e.g., a sliding door, comprises a mounting part (12) which has a mounting body (121) that can be mounted on the floor, a guide part (11) which is rotatably connected to the mounting part (12) and which is designed to interact with the underside of the sliding element (8), and a fixing element (16) by means of which the connection between the mounting part (12) and the guide part (11) can be fixed or released. The guide part (11) comprises a guide body (14) which has a guide column (141) aligned along a guide axis (y) and a guide foot (142) connected thereto and resting on the top of the mounting body (121), which is rotatably connected to the mounting body (121) by a joint element (15) about a joint axis (x) spaced apart from the guide axis (y) and can be rotatably and fixed between two end positions.According to the invention, the underside of the guide foot (142) has a structured first contact surface (123) which rests against a structured second contact surface (143) which is provided on the top side of the mounting body (121), and that the first and the second contact surfaces (123; 143) have structural elements which, after the connection of the mounting part (12) and the guide part (11), selectively engage in a form-locking manner in one of several rotational positions between the two end positions.