Door Closer With Segmented Valves and Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door closers require excessive force to open due to a single air hole, lack temporary braking mechanisms, and can cause noise or damage from inertia during automatic closing.
Innovation Solution
A door closer with a cylinder, main and check valves, a piston, restoring spring, and buffer member to control air flow and dampen inertia, along with a magnetic coupling for temporary door retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single air hole is provided in the conventional door closer, then the structure is simple, but excessive force is required to open the door due to vacuum force in the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The single air hole is segmented into multiple air holes (first air hole and second air hole) in the cylinder head. This segmentation allows air to enter the chamber through multiple pathways simultaneously, reducing the vacuum force resistance and enabling easier door opening while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component to control air flow direction. The check valve allows air to enter the chamber through the first air hole during door opening but prevents air from escaping through the same hole during door closing, thereby managing the vacuum force effectively and reducing the effort needed to open the door
2Device complexity
If no temporary braking mechanism is provided, then the device structure is simple, but the door cannot be temporarily held open and automatically closes immediately
Solution Approach 1:
A magnet is introduced as an intermediary holding mechanism. The magnet, positioned on the rod member, magnetically attracts to the door frame when the door is open, providing a temporary braking force that holds the door in the open position without requiring complex mechanical latching mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attraction force replaces complex mechanical braking or latching mechanisms. By using magnetic field interaction instead of mechanical components, the door can be temporarily held open with a simple and reliable mechanism that adds minimal complexity to the overall system
3Device complexity
If no buffer mechanism is provided, then the device structure is simple, but noise and damage occur due to inertia force during door closing
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member is installed beforehand between the piston and the cylinder head. This buffer member provides cushioning protection before the piston reaches the end of its stroke, absorbing the impact energy and reducing noise and potential damage caused by inertia force during door closing
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member acts as an intermediary element between the moving piston and the stationary cylinder head. It mediates the impact by providing a compliant interface that absorbs shock, thereby protecting the mechanical components from damage and reducing noise without requiring complex damping systems
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
Enables easier door opening with reduced force, prevents noise and damage from inertia, and allows temporary door retention for user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a restoring spring secured between the cylinder head and the rod member for normally resiliently restoring the rod member and the piston towards the cylinder head
Implementation Method 2
at least a buffer member secured between the cylinder head and the piston so as to dampen the inertia force of the closing door
Implementation Method 3
a magnet fixed on the rod member and a ferromagnetic member formed on the door frame or a fixture near the doorframe, whereby when opening the door to allow the magnet on rod member of door to approximate the ferromagnetic member on the door frame, the rod member with the door will be magnetically attracted to the ferromagnetic member
Implementation Method 4
a main valve and a check valve respectively formed on the cylinder head to control the air in-and-out volume through the valves for lightly opening the door
Data Source
AI summary
A door closer includes: a cylinder secured on a door frame and having a cylinder head formed on a proximal end of the cylinder; a main value and a check valve respectively formed on the cylinder head to control the air in-and-out volume through the valves for lightly opening the door; a piston secured to a rod member slidably reciprocating within the cylinder with the rod member secured to a door; a restoring spring secured between the cylinder head and the rod member for normally resiliently restoring the rod member and the piston towards the cylinder head in order to close the door to the door frame normally as restored by the restoring spring; and at least a buffer member secured between the cylinder head and the piston so as to dampen the inertia force of the closing door to eliminate the noise or damage thus possibly caused.