Door Closer Hydraulic System for Multi-Position Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door closers require multiple variants for different installation positions, leading to increased maintenance, production, and storage efforts, as well as space and cost issues due to overlapping hydraulic connections and fastening receptacles.

Innovation Solution

A door closer design with a hydraulic system featuring a first and second channel, each with a regulating valve, arranged in separate planes within the housing, allowing for adjustable closing properties and secure fastening without the need for multiple variants, enabling installation in various positions with reduced space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple variants of door closers are provided for different installation positions, then adaptability to various installation positions is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to installation positionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door closer is designed with a universal housing structure that can be installed in multiple positions (lintel, door leaf, hinge side, non-hinge side) without requiring different variants. The housing contains integrated fastening receptacles and hydraulic components arranged to function correctly in any installation position, making the door closer adaptable to all positions while maintaining a single design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges fastening receptacles and hydraulic channels in three-dimensional space within the housing to avoid overlap and interference. By strategically positioning components in different spatial dimensions and orientations, the door closer achieves multi-position adaptability without requiring multiple variants, as the same housing configuration works regardless of installation orientation.

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

2Ease of operation

If fastening receptacles are arranged in the housing, then ease of installation is improved, but hydraulic connections may overlap with fastening receptacles causing reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidfastening reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with fastening receptacles and hydraulic channels positioned in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The fastening receptacles are arranged on the housing surface or in recesses, while hydraulic channels are routed through internal passages, ensuring that the two systems do not overlap or interfere with each other, thus maintaining both ease of installation and fastening reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: fastening receptacles are positioned in specific areas for secure mounting, while hydraulic channels are routed through separate internal passages. This spatial segmentation prevents interference between mechanical fastening and hydraulic connections, ensuring both systems function reliably without overlap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If hydraulic channels are routed through the housing, then compact design is improved, but fastening receptacles cannot be advantageously positioned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing volumeVSAvoidfastening position
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to accommodate both compact hydraulic channels and optimally positioned fastening receptacles. Hydraulic channels are routed through internal passages and recesses, while fastening receptacles are positioned on the external surface or in dedicated mounting areas, allowing both systems to coexist in a compact design without compromising fastening position.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic channels are nested within the housing structure, utilizing internal cavities and passages, while fastening receptacles are positioned on the outer surface or in dedicated mounting zones. This nesting arrangement allows the hydraulic system to be integrated compactly within the housing volume while maintaining advantageous positioning of fastening receptacles for secure installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If the housing is made larger to prevent overlap, then reliability is improved, but space requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening securityVSAvoidhousing area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing employs three-dimensional spatial arrangement to prevent overlap between fastening receptacles and hydraulic channels without increasing overall housing dimensions. Components are positioned in different spatial zones and orientations, allowing reliable fastening and proper hydraulic function within a compact housing area, thus avoiding the need to enlarge the housing.

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

Enables easy and secure installation in multiple positions with reduced space and cost, as the separate valve and channel planes allow for compact fastening receptacle placement, avoiding the need for larger bodies or additional variants.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic connection (40) connecting the hydraulic chambers (34, 36, 37) in fluid communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic connection: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

Known door closers can have a hydraulic system for hydraulic damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3757327A1Door closer and method for mounting and adjusting a door closer
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 GEZE GMBH
  • EP3757327A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3757327A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3757327A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a door closer (10) for closing a door (100), the door closer (10) comprising a housing (20) and a hydraulic system (30) for adjusting at least one closing feature of the door closer (10) with a first hydraulic chamber (34), at least one second hydraulic chamber (36, 37) and a hydraulic connection (40) fluidly connecting the hydraulic chambers (34, 36, 37). The present invention further relates to a method for mounting and adjusting such a door closer (10).