Disappearing Door Counterframe Anchorage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current counterframes for disappearing sliding doors lack the ability to securely anchor sanitary equipment, electrical sockets, and hanging furniture due to their structural composition, which prevents effective fixation of plugs and other objects.

Innovation Solution

A counterframe design featuring a rigid shell with a layered structure of semi-soft and rigid materials, allowing for the support of hanging objects and the passage of pipes and cables, with cross beams that enable anchorage of finishing elements and plugs at any point, overcoming previous architectural limitations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional counterframe structure made of zinc-coated steel plates with ribbings is used, then the counterframe provides structural support and wall integration, but it cannot securely anchor sanitary equipment, electrical sockets, or hanging furniture due to lack of plug fixation capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to anchor sanitary equipment, electrical sockets, and hanging furnitureVSAvoidstructural complexity of counterframe
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The counterframe is divided into multiple functional layers: a first layer of semi-soft material for deformation and plug anchorage, and a second layer of rigid material for structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, enabling plug fixation without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining semi-soft material (first layer) and rigid material (second layer). The semi-soft material deforms to accommodate plugs and provide anchorage, while the rigid material maintains structural strength. This composite approach solves the contradiction by integrating both flexibility for anchorage and rigidity for support within a single counterframe system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If the counterframe uses a thin rigid structure to maintain wall planarity, then aesthetic integration is improved, but the ability to support hanging objects and facilitate plug fixation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplanarity of wall surfaceVSAvoidcapacity to support hanging objects
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The solution moves from a two-dimensional thin rigid plate to a three-dimensional layered structure. The first layer of semi-soft material provides deformation capability in one dimension, while the second layer of rigid material provides structural strength in another dimension. This dimensional transition allows the counterframe to maintain wall planarity while supporting hanging objects through the layered composite structure.

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

3Ease of operation

If conventional fixing techniques are used on the counterframe, then installation simplicity is maintained, but the counterframe cannot support sanitary equipment, electrical sockets, or hanging furniture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of installationVSAvoidcapacity to support various fixtures and furniture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The semi-soft material in the first layer automatically deforms and adapts to the shape of plugs and anchorage points during installation. This self-deformation capability eliminates the need for complex pre-prepared holes or specialized fixing mechanisms, allowing conventional fixing techniques to work effectively while maintaining ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2336473B1Case for counterframe for disappearing sliding door and counterframe with case of the door panel provided with a side for supporting hanging objects
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 ECLISSE
  • EP2336473B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2336473B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Case for counterframe for disappearing sliding door with a side (a, b) for supporting hanging objects (200), obtained by coupling pre-shaped metal-sheets; means (16) of anchorage in correspondence of at least one of the two side definition walls (120) of the case (10) of a finishing supporting element, wherein said case (10) in correspondence of the external face (123) of at least one of the two side definition walls (120) of the case (10) in the space interposed between said side definition wall (120) and the finishing supporting element, comprises a first layer of semi-soft material (14) placed against the corresponding side definition wall (120) of the case (10), on which first layer (14) a second layer (15) of rigid material is superimposed in such a way as to serve for clamping the gripping part of the fixing plugs, and wherein on said second layer (15) of rigid material the cross beams (16) are superimposed.