Angled Rail Parting Plane for Smooth Sliding Door Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door fittings experience unevenness and abrupt transitions at joints, leading to a rough sliding motion and installation complexities, particularly when profiles with raceways are not adjacent.

Innovation Solution

A sliding door fitting with rail parts forming a running rail where the parting plane at the butt connector is angled between 10° to 60°, preferably 45°, allowing continuous weight transfer and support through a butt connector with adjustable support parts, ensuring smooth movement and easy installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the parting plane between rail parts is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the running rail, then the assembly is simple and straightforward, but the roller experiences abrupt transitions and unevenness when moving over the joint, resulting in rough sliding motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoothness of sliding motionVSAvoidcomplexity of butt connector design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The parting plane between the rail parts is arranged at an angle (10° to 60°) to the longitudinal direction of the running rail instead of being perpendicular. This asymmetric arrangement allows the roller to gradually transition from one rail part to the other, distributing the load continuously and eliminating abrupt transitions, thereby achieving smooth sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The solution introduces an angular dimension to the parting plane arrangement. By tilting the parting plane relative to the longitudinal axis of the rail, the transition area is extended in the longitudinal direction, allowing the roller to move smoothly across the joint rather than encountering a sudden step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a profile connector is used to support profiles with adjacent tracks, then alignment is improved, but the connector is not suitable for profiles where tracks are not adjacent and requires complex adaptations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to different profile configurationsVSAvoidcomplexity of connector design
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The butt connector is designed with a universal parting plane angle that can be applied to various profile configurations regardless of whether the tracks are adjacent or not. The angled parting plane design works for different track arrangements, making the connector versatile and eliminating the need for specialized designs for different profile types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector design separates the support function into distinct support parts that can individually adapt to different track configurations. This segmentation allows each support element to be optimized for its specific tracking while maintaining overall compatibility with various profile types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the parting plane is angled to improve weight transfer, then sliding smoothness is enhanced, but the manufacturing and assembly precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoothness of sliding motionVSAvoidprecision of parting plane angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The parting plane angle is specified within a range (10° to 60°) rather than requiring a single precise value. This parameter range provides manufacturing tolerance while still achieving the functional benefit of smooth weight transfer. The optimal angle can be selected based on specific application requirements within this range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3822440B1Sliding door fitting, furniture and method for mounting a sliding door fitting
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 HETTICH HEINZE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3822440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3822440B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3822440B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

A sliding door fitting comprises a guide rail (5) formed from at least two rail sections (5a, 5b), on which at least one track (7, 8) is formed for at least one roller (31) and/or a sliding element of a running section (30) for moving a sliding door (3). A butt connector (10) is arranged between the at least two rail sections (5a, 5b), wherein a separating plane (50) of the at least two rail sections (5a, 5b) in the area of ​​the butt connector (10) runs at an angle of at least 10° perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail (5). This allows a roller to move across the joint of the two rail sections (5a, 5b) with low noise. A method for mounting a sliding door fitting is also provided.