Door Closer Lever Arm Smoke Detector Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door closers with integrated smoke alarm systems are visually unappealing and require additional installation effort, as smoke detectors must be surface-mounted due to airflow requirements, making them conspicuous and increasing installation complexity.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the smoke alarm device, including its smoke chamber, into the lever arm of the door closer, allowing for a flush-mounted installation that conceals components like the power supply and evaluation electronics, and enabling the smoke detector to be positioned within the door or its frame, thus being visually inconspicuous and reducing visible components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the smoke alarm device is surface-mounted on the wall above the door lintel, then the smoke detector can detect smoke effectively, but the device becomes visually conspicuous and requires additional installation effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoke detection functionalityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smoke alarm device is merged with the door closer system by integrating the smoke chamber into the lever arm and mounting the complete device on the door wing or door frame. This combines two separate systems (smoke detection and door closing) into one integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate wall mounting and reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining smoke detection functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the smoke alarm device is surface-mounted on the wall, then the smoke detector can detect smoke effectively, but the device becomes visually conspicuous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoke detection functionalityVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The smoke alarm device is merged with the door closer system, making it an integrated component rather than a separate wall-mounted device. This integration allows the smoke detector to be positioned on the door wing or frame where it is not visually conspicuous, while the smoke chamber remains accessible for proper smoke detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The smoke chamber is nested within the lever arm structure of the door closer. This nesting allows the smoke detection components to be housed within the existing door closer geometry, concealing the device from view while maintaining its detection functionality through strategically positioned openings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Shape

If the smoke chamber is integrated into the lever arm, then the smoke alarm device becomes visually inconspicuous, but smoke must still flow through the smoke chamber effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appearanceVSAvoidsmoke detection functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lever arm is designed with different local qualities: most of the structure remains solid for aesthetic concealment, while specific local areas contain openings or channels that allow smoke to flow through the smoke chamber. This localized modification maintains the overall visual inconspicuousness while ensuring proper smoke detection functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 unobtrusive and integrated smoke alarm system suitable for both integrated and surface-mounted door closers, enhancing aesthetic appeal while simplifying installation and protecting the smoke detector from dirt, which can affect its functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The smoke detector 4 includes a smoke chamber 9 and an electronic evaluation system 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSmoke detection: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP2270303B1Door closer
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 GEZE GMBH
  • EP2270303B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The door closer (1) has a lever arm (2) and a clamping device that is released by a relay contact of a smoke detection device (3). The detection device includes a smoke box, an evaluation unit, a smoke detector (4) that are partially arranged in or at the lever arm, and a power supply unit (6) for supplying the detector. The power supply and/or evaluation units are integrated in a flush-mounted box (7). The lever arm is guided in a slide rail integrated in a door frame. The detector is covered when a wing of a door is closed.