Compact Carriage for Heavy Door Leaf Using Curved Deployment Arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window and door carriage systems face challenges in supporting heavier and taller sashes while maintaining a compact design, as they struggle to absorb high forces and accommodate large sash weights without a bulky construction.

Innovation Solution

The carriage system features large rollers occupying at least 90% to 95% of the housing height, with a deployment arm and control arm design that allows for a compact and powerful configuration, enabling the carriage to support weights up to 200 kg, and includes a slot section to cover the control arm, providing safety and load-bearing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the carriage uses a compact design with small housing area, then the carriage fits narrowly under the sash and on the track, but the load-bearing capacity and ability to absorb high forces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing areaVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved deployment arms instead of straight rigid arms. The curved geometry allows the arm to achieve greater bending moments and load-bearing capacity within a compact housing space. The curvature enables the arm to absorb high forces while maintaining a small overall volume, resolving the contradiction between compact design and load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a curved three-dimensional path for the deployment arm movement, transitioning from traditional linear or planar arm motion. This spatial reconfiguration allows the arm to achieve greater effective length and load-bearing capability within the constrained housing volume by utilizing vertical and radial dimensions rather than only horizontal extension.

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

2Length of stationary object

If the carriage uses a compact design, then the overall height is reduced, but the ability to support heavier and taller sashes is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall heightVSAvoidsash weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The curved deployment arm configuration enables the carriage to support greater sash weights within a reduced overall height. The curved geometry provides mechanical advantage and increases the moment arm effectiveness, allowing the compact carriage structure to bear heavier loads without requiring increased vertical height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction for the carriage components, particularly the deployment arm and housing. By using composite materials with high strength-to-weight ratios, the carriage achieves enhanced load-bearing capacity for heavier sashes while maintaining a compact overall height, resolving the contradiction between height reduction and weight support capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If the rollers are made large relative to the housing, then smooth running is achieved, but the housing area must be larger which conflicts with compact design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth runningVSAvoidhousing area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the rollers in the vertical dimension within the housing rather than extending them horizontally. By arranging the rollers vertically and using the curved deployment arm to achieve smooth running through vertical movement, the design accommodates large rollers for smooth operation while maintaining a compact horizontal housing footprint.

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

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 allows for efficient movement and support of heavier sashes with a compact design, ensuring the carriage fits snugly under the sash and on the track, while maintaining a high load-bearing capacity and preventing evasive movements, thus addressing the need for both power and compactness.

Implementation Method 1

The carriage has two rollers, which support it on a track

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling contact: Roller

Implementation Method 2

The carriage itself has a leading control section and can be locked in the closed position with a spring-loaded locking element which acts on the deployment arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2384386B1Compact carriage for a longitudinally movable, heavy door leaf
Publication Date: 2017.03.01 HAUTAU
  • EP2384386B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2384386B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2384386B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5b

AI summary

The invention relates to a carriage and to a method for longitudinally moving a door leaf into a parallel stored position. In order to obtain a compact design in spite of castors (20, 21) having a large diameter, a housing area (10) having at least two of the castors (20, 21) and a support location (16) for supporting an extension arm (30) in a swiveling manner is provided. For the parallel storing of the door leaf, the extension arm (30) comprises a far support location (100) for the door leaf and a support location (38) closer to the housing area (10) for an end of a control arm (35). A control section (40, 41) is continued in a longitudinal direction of the housing area (10) and comprises a guide (41) for the other end area of the control arm (35). The extension arm (30) completely covers the control arm (35) in a swiveled-in position when the extension arm is viewed in the horizontal direction. At the same time, the control arm (35) is located in a swivel plane that is located offset in parallel below a top side and offset in parallel above a bottom side of the extension arm (30). The carriage thus becomes compact and effective at the same time.