Antipanic Sliding Door Thermal Break Frame Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Antipanic break-out sliding doors lack thermal insulation due to the structural complexity of combining insulation with the need for robustness to withstand stresses and weight, while thermal break frames used in hinge-opening doors do not have the structural capacity for antipanic breakout functions.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a structure with parallel frame portions separated by a thermal break zone, using thermally insulating materials and a joint system that includes C-portions and flange elements to provide both thermal insulation and structural strength, allowing for sliding and rotational movements without deformation during breakout scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If thermal break frames are used to provide thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but structural capacity to withstand antipanic breakout stresses is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidstructural capacity to withstand breakout stresses
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines thermally insulating materials (such as polymeric materials in the thermal break zone) with metal structure portions (aluminum or steel profiles) to create a composite frame structure. This allows the frame to simultaneously achieve thermal insulation through the polymeric material and structural strength through the metal portions, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is divided into distinct functional zones: structure portions (12a, 12b) made of metal for strength, and a thermal break zone with insulating material for thermal insulation. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function while working together as an integrated structure, enabling both thermal performance and structural capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If robust metal structure is used to withstand sliding door weight and stresses, then structural strength is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates due to metal conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strength to withstand weight and stressesVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thermal break zone containing thermally insulating material as an intermediary element between the metal structure portions. This intermediary layer interrupts the thermal conduction path through the metal frame, reducing heat transfer while the metal structure portions maintain the necessary mechanical strength to support the sliding door.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the joint rigidly joins structure portions to enable antipanic rotation, then structural integrity is improved, but thermal insulation may be compromised by direct metal-to-metal contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity for antipanic rotationVSAvoidthermal insulation continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The joint is designed with differentiated local properties: the upper section provides rigid connection for structural integrity and antipanic rotation capability, while the lower section incorporates thermally insulating material layers to maintain thermal insulation continuity. This local quality differentiation allows the joint to simultaneously satisfy both structural and thermal requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution achieves high thermal insulation and structural integrity, ensuring effective separation between rooms while maintaining functional integrity during both normal use and emergency break-out situations.

Implementation Method 1

the two structure portions (12a, 12b) are separated by a thermal break zone comprising at least one portion of thermally insulating material (60, 65)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4033064B1Antipanic break-out and thermal break sliding door
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 PONZI SRL

AI summary

The present invention relates to an antipanic break-out and thermal break sliding door comprising - at least one wing (10) sliding and rotatable with respect to a frame (5) hanging from at least one carriage (24) by means of at least one joint (28) allowing the rotation of the wing with respect to the carriage; characterised in that the wing (10) comprises a structure frame 12 subdivided into at least two parallel structure portions (12a, 12b), arranged to hold a panel (14) therebetween, and separated by a thermal break zone, wherein the two structure portions (12a, 12b) are rigidly joined to each other at least in the following manner: - along the upper section of the wing (10) the joint (28) is above both structure portions (12a and 12b) and rigidly joins them together; the joint (28) rests on said structure portions (12a,12b) with the interposition of at least one layer of thermally insulating material (62), which is crossed at one or more predetermined points by respective fastening elements (13).