Concealed Door Closer in Drip Cap for Aesthetic Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door closers are often aesthetically unappealing and difficult to install, as they are typically externally mounted, detracting from the door's appearance and requiring complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A concealed door closer is integrated into a drip cap mounted on the upper header of a door frame, with a vertical pinion connected to a biasing mechanism, providing sufficient rotational force to move the door from an open to a closed position through a closer arm, allowing for easy installation and configuration as either a left or right hinged door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If door closers are externally mounted on the door surface, then the door closer is easily accessible and simple to install, but it detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the door
Solution Approach 1:
The door closer is nested within a cavity or pocket formed in the door structure itself, specifically utilizing the space between the door and the door frame. The closer body is positioned within this recessed area, making it invisible or minimally visible from the exterior while maintaining full functionality. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external mounting while preserving aesthetic appearance.
2Reliability
If door closers use complex hydraulic mechanisms with folding linkages, then the door closing function is reliable and effective, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex hydraulic mechanisms, folding linkages, and multiple moving parts from the door closer design. Instead, it employs a simple spring-loaded mechanism with a single piston and seal arrangement. This extraction of unnecessary complexity maintains reliable door closing function while dramatically simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic mechanisms with a purely mechanical spring-loaded system. The spring provides the closing force directly through a simple piston-action mechanism, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid, valves, and complex linkage systems. This substitution maintains functional reliability while reducing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If door closers use spring-loaded hinges with torsion springs, then the door closer is simple in structure, but it may not provide sufficient force for heavier doors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring mechanism with adjustable parameters, including spring tension and piston surface area. By changing these parameters, the closing force can be optimized for different door weights and sizes. The piston diameter and spring constant can be selected to provide the required force while maintaining a simple overall structure.
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 visually appealing and easy-to-install door closer that effectively moves the door to a closed position without external components, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics while allowing for flexible hinging configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an internal biasing mechanism such as a biasing spring
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a concealed or hidden door closer that is installed in a drip cap of a door assembly. In some embodiments, the door frame and door closer components are configured to allow the door assembly to be readily installed as either a left or a right hand hinged door.