Door Drive With Freewheel Decoupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical door closers require initial mechanical energy input, which can be difficult for certain groups, such as young, old, or physically handicapped individuals, and autonomous vehicles to operate, and they often require complex installation and are costly and space-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A door drive system with a freewheel function that includes an electrical actuating unit to pretension a closer spring, allowing for manual operation without resistance and automatic closure using stored mechanical energy, while being compact and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a purely mechanical door closer with energy storage device is used, then automatic door closing function is achieved, but initial mechanical energy input is required which is difficult for certain groups to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The door drive system performs preliminary action by automatically pre-tensioning the closing spring using an electrical actuating unit before the door is opened. This stores mechanical energy in advance, so that when the door is opened, the freewheel mechanism allows free movement without requiring the user to overcome spring tension, yet the stored energy remains available for automatic closing
Solution Approach 2:
The freewheel mechanism acts as an intermediary that decouples the door movement from the piston element movement during opening. It allows the door to move freely while the piston remains stationary, preventing the user from directly encountering the spring force, while still enabling energy transfer during closing
2Ease of operation
If a separate drive is installed in addition to a purely mechanical door closer, then ease of operation is improved, but mounting positions are limited and installation is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the mechanical door closer components (closing spring, piston-cylinder unit) with an electrical actuating unit into a single integrated door drive system. The electrical actuator is incorporated into the existing mechanical structure, allowing pre-tensioning of the spring without requiring a separate additional drive mechanism, thereby simplifying installation and mounting options
3Ease of operation
If fully automatic door operators are used, then ease of operation is improved, but purchase, installation, maintenance, and operation costs are higher
Solution Approach 1:
The door drive system performs self-service by using the electrical actuating unit to automatically pre-tension the closing spring during door opening operations. This eliminates the need for manual intervention to wind or energize the spring, providing automatic operation functionality without requiring a fully automatic door operator system, thereby reducing costs while maintaining ease of operation
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 operation of doors by decoupling the door movement from the piston element's movement, allowing for manual opening and automatic closure without additional energy input, suitable for critical areas like fire doors, and reduces installation complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a closing spring (134) for acting on the piston element (132) in the closing direction of the door
Implementation Method 2
a freewheel (116) for decoupling a movement of the door from a movement of the piston element (132) in the assembled state of the door drive
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a door drive (200) with a freewheel function, comprising a drive mechanism (130) that can be coupled to a door, with a piston element (132) that is axially movable between a starting position and a locking position, a closing spring (134) for acting on the piston element (132) in the closing direction of the door, and a freewheel (116) for decoupling a movement of the door from a movement of the piston element (132) in the mounted state of the door drive (200), wherein at least one reaching of the locking position by the piston element (132) activates the freewheel.