Bi-fold Sliding Door With Disconnecting Fold Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved fenestration units that provide enhanced ingress and egress capabilities while being structurally robust, as existing sliding-type doors lack versatility and robustness in their operation modes.
Innovation Solution
The fenestration units incorporate a frame with a first panel that can pivot and a second panel that can slide and pivot, connected by fold hinges allowing operation in both sliding and folding modes, with latches and transfer mechanisms enabling seamless transitions between these modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a door uses traditional sliding mechanism, then the structure is simple, but the ingress and egress capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The door system integrates both sliding and folding functions into a single mechanism. The fold hinges can operate in two modes: disconnected mode for sliding operation and connected mode for folding operation. This multi-functionality allows the door to provide both limited sliding access and wide folding opening capabilities, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door mechanism transitions between different operational states dynamically. The fold hinges can switch between disconnected and connected configurations, allowing the door to adapt its movement pattern (sliding vs. folding) based on operational requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the door to overcome the limitation of fixed-function mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a door uses hinged panels that swing, then the opening capability is enhanced, but the structural robustness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The door system dynamically adjusts its structural configuration. When sliding mode is required, the fold hinges remain disconnected maintaining a robust linear structure. When folding mode is activated, the hinges connect to enable wide opening capability. This dynamic switching allows the door to achieve enhanced opening capability without permanently compromising structural robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is divided into multiple panels (first panel and second panel) connected by fold hinges. This segmentation allows the door to fold in a bi-fold manner, distributing the stress and maintaining structural integrity while achieving wide opening capability. The segmented structure is more robust than a single large hinged panel.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a door provides wide opening capability, then the ingress and egress capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sliding and folding mechanisms into a single integrated door system. The fold hinges serve dual purposes: when disconnected, they allow sliding motion; when connected, they enable folding motion. This merging of functions into a unified mechanism reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate sliding and folding door systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fold hinges are designed as multi-functional components that can operate in both disconnected and connected modes. This universality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for sliding and folding operations, thereby enhancing ingress and egress capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fenestration unit such as a door operable in a sliding mode and a bi-fold folding mode. Examples include a frame, a first panel, a second panel, and one or more fold hinges releasably pivotally connecting a second side portion of the first panel to a first side portion of the second panel and defining a folding axis. In the sliding mode (1) the fold hinges are configured to disconnect the first and second panels, (2) the first panel is in a closed position with respect to the frame, and (3) the second panel is configured to slide along a path generally parallel to the first panel between a closed position and a sliding open position. In the folding mode (1) the fold hinges are configured to pivotally connect the second side portion of the first panel and the first side portion of the second panel, and (2) the first panel and second panel fold with respect to one another about the folding axis with the first panel pivoting with respect to the frame and the second panel sliding and pivoting with respect to the frame as the first and second panels move between the closed positions and folding open positions.