Tool-Free Damping Element for Sliding Door Profile Rail
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door fittings with damping elements require prior preparation and special tools to install the damping element in a U-shaped profile rail, limiting flexibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A damping element with clamping means, such as receptacles for expanding elements or overlapping latching arms, allows for tool-free installation at any longitudinal position without pre-processing the profile rail, ensuring secure fixation both transversely and longitudinally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the damping element is installed using existing door fittings with latching arms, then the damping element can be fixed in the profile rail, but prior preparation of the profile rail with recesses or snap-in receptacles is required
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping means enable the damping element to clamp itself onto the profile rail without requiring pre-prepared recesses or special tools. The spreading element, when inserted, automatically pushes the latching arms apart to grip the profile edges, allowing the damping element to install itself in a tool-free manner at any longitudinal position.
2Reliability
If the damping element is fixed using pre-prepared recesses in the profile rail, then secure fixation is achieved, but special tools and prior processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping means enable the damping element to clamp itself onto the profile rail without requiring pre-prepared recesses or special tools. The spreading element, when inserted, automatically pushes the latching arms apart to grip the profile edges, allowing the damping element to install itself in a tool-free manner at any longitudinal position.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the profile rail to be prepared with recesses to receive the damping element, the damping element is designed with active latching arms that protrude and grip the profile edges. This inverts the traditional approach where the mounting surface must be prepared, and instead the mounting component actively engages with the unmodified profile.
3Reliability
If the damping element is designed with latching arms for transverse fixation, then secure engagement is achieved, but longitudinal positioning flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The latching arms are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be pushed apart by the spreading element to release the grip on the profile edges. This dynamic design enables the damping element to be positioned at any longitudinal location along the profile rail, and once positioned, the spreading element is removed to lock the latching arms in place, providing both flexibility and secure fixation.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a damping element (20) for a folding or sliding door which is guided along a U-shaped profiled rail (10) with two bead-shaped profiled edges (13), having a sleeve-shaped housing (21) in which a linear damper is received. A section of the linear damper can be moved into or out of the housing (21) in the longitudinal direction, and latching arms (211, 211') for latching the damping element (20) are arranged in or on the U-shaped profiled rail (10) on the housing. The damping element (20) is characterized in that at least one clamping means for clamping the latching arms (211, 211') against the profiled rail (10) is arranged in the region of the latching arms (211, 211'). The invention additionally relates to a door fitting for a folding or sliding door, comprising a U-shaped profiled rail (10) with two limbs (12) which are provided with bead-shaped profiled edges (13) and comprising such a damping element (20) which is arranged on or in the profiled rail (10).