Door Drive Energy Conversion for Self-Powered Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door and window drives with hydraulic components are complex and costly, requiring additional power cables for electrical components, leading to high manufacturing and installation costs, and lack efficient control over drive behavior.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism with an energy conversion means, such as an electrical generator/motor unit and gear drive, that converts piston movement into electrical energy for powering components and generating braking torque, allowing for self-contained power supply and electrical control of damping, eliminating the need for hydraulic components and power cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic components are used for controlling drive behavior, then damping control is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic damping system with an electromagnetic braking system. The electromagnetic brake uses magnetic fields generated by coils to create braking torque on the drive shaft, substituting the mechanical-hydraulic damping mechanism with an electromagnetic field-based system. This reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable damping control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for hydraulic damping medium and channels by using an electromagnetic braking mechanism. The hydraulic system with damping medium flowing between chambers is replaced by electromagnetic coils that generate magnetic fields for damping, removing complex hydraulic components while achieving the same control function.
2Ease of operation
If electrical components are supplied with power cables from the frame, then electrical components can be powered, but installation complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system generates its own electrical energy through the electromagnetic brake during door operation. The electromagnetic brake acts as a generator during door closing, converting mechanical energy to electrical energy that is stored in a capacitor. This self-generated power supplies electrical components without requiring external power cables, making the system self-sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic coil serves dual functions by changing its operational parameters. During door closing, the coil operates as a generator converting mechanical motion to electrical energy. During door holding, it operates as an electromagnet providing holding force. This parameter change eliminates the need for separate power supply infrastructure.
3Use of energy by moving object
If spring unit is compressed during door opening, then energy is stored for autonomous closure, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring energy storage system with an electromagnetic energy generation system. Instead of compressing a spring during door opening to store energy, the electromagnetic brake generates electrical energy during door closing that is stored in a capacitor. This substitution reduces manufacturing precision requirements while achieving reliable energy storage for autonomous closure.
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
This solution simplifies the drive mechanism, reduces manufacturing and installation costs, enables easier control of drive behavior, and provides a self-contained power supply, allowing for efficient electrical damping and enhanced closing force, while eliminating the need for hydraulic components and power cables.
Implementation Method 1
energy from the movement of the piston can be converted to electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
electrical energy produced in this way can be converted back to mechanical energy, in order to supply at least one electrical component with electric current, to generate a braking torque
Implementation Method 3
the spring unit is compressed during a rotary movement of the drive shaft upon opening the wing, so that it can serve as an energy store
Implementation Method 4
the housing is filled with a damping medium and the working piston is acted upon by a spring unit
Data Source
AI summary
The drive according to the invention for a wing of a door, a window or the like comprises a housing, a drive shaft supported rotatably in the housing, and a piston that interacts with the drive shaft and is guided slidably in the housing. In addition, the drive comprises energy conversion means interacting with the piston, by which energy from the movement of the piston can be converted to electrical energy, and electrical energy produced in this way can be converted back to mechanical energy, to supply at least one electrical component with electric current, to generate a braking torque and/or to drive the piston, especially to support the closing and/or opening movement.