Bi-fold Door Pin Brace Lateral Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bi-fold doors experience excessive wear and damage due to the binding of guide pins in the track, especially when closing, which leads to deformation and potential dislodgment of pivot brackets and track damage, as existing solutions fail to adequately address forces applied at angles perpendicular to the track and leverage issues.
Innovation Solution
A pin brace is introduced that anchors directly to the door header, bracing the exposed shafts of guide and pivot pins to reduce leverage and prevent lateral movement, thereby protecting the pins, track, and door panels from damage during door operation and closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the guide pin is allowed to move freely in the track during door closure, then the door can close smoothly, but the guide pin binds in the track causing excessive wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
A pin brace is introduced as an intermediary component between the guide pin and the track. The brace provides lateral support to the guide pin shaft, preventing it from binding in the track while allowing smooth movement. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by enabling easy door closure without the guide pin experiencing excessive lateral forces that would cause wear and damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot bracket is allowed to move laterally during door operation, then the door can accommodate variations in track alignment, but the pivot bracket becomes dislodged and the track is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The pin brace serves as a mediator that provides lateral support to the pivot pin shaft. This prevents the pivot bracket from moving laterally beyond the limits of its adjustment range, thereby maintaining stability and preventing track damage while still allowing the bracket to accommodate reasonable variations in track alignment during normal door operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pin shaft is allowed to move laterally to accommodate force variations, then the door can handle off-angle forces, but the pin shaft deforms and the mounting hole enlarges
Solution Approach 1:
The pin brace acts as a lateral support structure that constrains the pin shaft against excessive lateral movement. This intermediary component allows the door to handle off-angle forces while preventing the pin shaft from deforming or the mounting hole from enlarging, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision and structural integrity.
4Productivity
If the door is pulled with excessive force during closure, then the door closes quickly, but the guide pin binds in the track causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pin brace provides beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing lateral support for the guide pin shaft. This protective structure is in place before excessive forces are applied during door closure, cushioning the pin against the harmful effects of off-angle forces and preventing binding in the track, thereby enabling faster closing without damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A bi-fold door pin brace braces the exposed shafts of bi-fold door pins against the force exerted on the pin assemblies by door movement out of alignment with the track. The bi-fold door pin brace has a header mounting plate generally defines a generally planar surface and is configured to mount into a door header, ceiling, or the like. A coupling plate extends from the header mounting plate in a plane angularly offset therefrom. A bi-fold pin shaft bracing plate defines a third generally planar surface that extends from the coupling plate in a plane generally parallel to the header mounting plate. The bi-fold pin shaft bracing plate is configured to engage with and provide support to a bi-fold pin shaft, and can be used in conjunction with or as part of an assembly with a bi-fold door stop.