Biased Open Partial Door Panels with Inverted Track System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic sliding doors with partial door assemblies face maintenance issues due to exposed tracks and security risks when biased closed, as employees often forget to lock them, leading to potential intrusions and pest entry.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an inverted track system at the bottom and an overhead wheel carrier track system to minimize exposed components, biasing the partial door assembly to the open position to ensure it remains locked, and using a hardened steel lock pin for enhanced security and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the partial door assembly is biased closed to maintain security and prevent pest intrusion, then security and pest prevention are improved, but maintenance needs increase due to exposed tracks and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional biasing direction by biasing the partial door assembly toward the open position rather than the closed position. This is achieved through a spring mechanism that continuously pushes the door panels apart, requiring manual intervention only to close and lock the door when security is needed. This inversion eliminates the maintenance issues associated with exposed tracks while maintaining security through the locked state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the track system from the visible exterior by routing it through the floor and along the side of the door assembly. This hidden track configuration eliminates exposed tracks that would otherwise require maintenance and cleaning, while still allowing the partial door assembly to function properly when biased open.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the partial door assembly is biased closed to prevent pest intrusion, then pest prevention is improved, but the door remains vulnerable to forced entry if not locked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a lock mechanism that must be manually activated to secure the partial door assembly in the closed position. This preliminary locking action ensures that even though the door is biased open for ease of operation, it remains securely locked when closed, preventing both pest intrusion and forced entry by employees or intruders.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional tracks are used for the partial door assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but maintenance needs increase due to exposed components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the track system from the visible exterior by routing it through the floor and along the side of the door assembly. This hidden track configuration eliminates exposed tracks that would otherwise require maintenance and cleaning, while still allowing the partial door assembly to function properly when biased open.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the track system from a conventional horizontal configuration to a vertical dimension by routing it through the floor. This dimensional change allows the tracks to be concealed within the floor structure, eliminating exposed components while maintaining the functional integrity of the partial door assembly.
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 maintenance needs, enhances security by ensuring the partial door assembly remains locked, and prevents pest intrusion while maintaining functionality and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second partial door panels are each operably coupled to a biasing assembly that biases the first and second partial door panels toward the open state
Data Source
AI summary
A door assembly may include a first sidelite, a second sidelite where the first and second sidelites are disposed in a common plane and defining a door opening between the first and second sidelites, a first sliding panel, a second sliding panel where the first and second sliding panels are movable from a closed position disposing the first and second sliding panels to block access through the door opening and an open position in which the first sliding panel is proximate the first sidelite and the second sliding panel is proximate the second sidelite, and are disposed in a second plane parallel to the common plane in both the open and closed position, a first partial door panel disposed in a third plane opposite the second plate relative to the common plane, and a second partial door panel disposed in the third plane.