Compression Spring Weight Compensation for Industrial Lifting Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight compensation devices for lifting doors, such as those using tension and torsion springs, have short service lives and require significant installation space, making them inefficient and costly for long-term use, especially in industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A weight compensation device utilizing compression springs arranged in a hollow-cylindrical guide element, which supports a rotary motion through a motion conversion device, allowing for efficient spring force utilization and compact design, with the compression spring capable of withstanding high loads for over a million lifts without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tension springs are used for weight compensation, then the door weight can be compensated, but the service life is limited to about 200,000 lifts and they require significant installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using compression springs instead of tension springs. The compression springs are arranged vertically between the door leaf and the floor, converting the horizontal space requirement of tension springs into a vertical compression mechanism, thereby reducing installation space while extending service life to over one million lifts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal space utilization (tension springs mounted on side frames) to vertical space utilization (compression springs mounted between door leaf and floor). This dimensional change allows the same weight compensation function to be achieved with significantly reduced installation space requirements
2Area of stationary object
If torsion springs are used as an alternative, then installation space is reduced, but the service life becomes even shorter at about 30,000 to 40,000 lifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of spring type from torsion to compression. Compression springs inherently provide longer service life due to their simpler stress state (unilateral compression versus torsional shear), while maintaining compact installation space through vertical arrangement between the door leaf and floor
3Reliability
If hydraulic accumulators are employed, then weight compensation is achieved, but the construction becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and complex hydraulic accumulators with simple, inexpensive compression springs. Although springs are mechanical components, their simplicity, low cost, and maintenance-free operation over one million lifts make them a far more economical and less complex solution than hydraulic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes a complex hydraulic mechanical system with a simple mechanical spring system. The compression springs directly provide the counterbalancing force through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid, seals, pumps, and control mechanisms
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 provides a long-lasting, cost-effective, and space-efficient weight compensation mechanism that effectively supports the weight of door leaves, enabling the use of spiral and drum doors with reduced maintenance needs and improved space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compression spring configured as a coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a weight compensation device for a drive of a lifting door, for the position-dependent compensation of the weight force of a door leaf of the lifting door, with a force transmission unit which can be coupled to the drive in order to carry out an opening movement which raises the door leaf and a closing movement which lowers the door leaf, wherein at least one compression spring is provided which is arranged in such a way that it supports the opening movement. The invention also relates to a lifting door, in particular an industrial lifting door, which has a door leaf, with a drive, such as a motor, and with a weight compensation device according to the invention.