Door Drive Housing with Temperature-Dependent Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In door or window drives, hydraulic fluid expansion due to rising temperature in a fire scenario can lead to sudden escape if the trapped air cannot absorb the expansion, posing a risk of pressure buildup and fluid leakage.

Innovation Solution

A housing design with a pressure compensation space separated from the hydraulic space by a pressure- and/or temperature-dependent closure, which opens to allow hydraulic fluid to expand into a pressure equalization chamber, featuring guide channels for fluid and air flow to regulate pressure and temperature, including a safety fuse for temperature-induced opening and spiral or labyrinth guide channels for efficient fluid discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hydraulic space is sealed to prevent leakage, then the reliability of the drive is improved, but the hydraulic fluid cannot expand when temperature increases, leading to dangerous pressure buildup

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of hydraulic fluid leakageVSAvoidpressure buildup and fluid escape risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separate spaces: a hydraulic space for the operational fluid and a pressure equalization space for safety. The closure element separates these spaces, allowing the hydraulic space to remain sealed for reliability while the pressure equalization space handles thermal expansion safely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure element acts as an intermediary between the hydraulic space and the pressure equalization space. It remains closed under normal conditions to maintain hydraulic pressure, but opens when thermal expansion causes dangerous pressure buildup, allowing fluid to transfer safely to the equalization space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a pressure equalization space is added to handle thermal expansion, then the safety of the drive is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion managementVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure equalization space is merged into the existing housing structure rather than being a separate component. The closure element is integrated into a through-hole of a sleeve that is already part of the housing, combining multiple functions into existing structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve serving as part of the housing structure also serves as the closure element holder and guide channel provider. The closure element not only separates spaces but also guides the hydraulic fluid into the pressure equalization space, performing multiple functions with a single component.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the closure element opens at a specific temperature to release pressure, then the safety against thermal expansion is improved, but the hydraulic fluid may escape at inappropriate times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature-induced pressure controlVSAvoidpremature opening prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is designed to respond to specific parameter thresholds (temperature or pressure). It remains closed under normal operating conditions and only opens when the temperature or pressure exceeds predetermined safety thresholds, ensuring it responds only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The closure element provides automatic feedback control by monitoring the pressure and temperature conditions in the hydraulic space. When dangerous thresholds are reached, the closure element automatically opens to relieve pressure, then closes again when conditions normalize, creating a self-regulating safety mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively prevents hydraulic fluid escape by allowing pressure equalization, maintaining the fluid within the drive and ensuring safe operation up to a specific temperature, with design features enabling flexible installation orientations and cost-effective implementation.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure- and/or temperature-dependent closure (6) provided in a through hole (7) of a sleeve (8), through which bore hydraulic fluid and/or air can pass after the closure has been opened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-dependent closure mechanism: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

In the event of a fire, the hydraulic fluid contained in the drive housing expands as a result of the rising temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

a temperature-dependent closure includes a fuse. In the event of a fire, the pressure equalization space is released towards the hydraulic space as a result of the safety fuse melting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal melting: Melting

Implementation Method 4

The sleeve is provided with at least one additional guide channel through which hydraulic fluid and/or air can pass freely

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through channels: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 5

the guide channels can be designed specifically as a labyrinth to or away from the through hole (7), in which there is air or hydraulic fluid, and which can easily discharge these fluids when the pressure in the housing increases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLabyrinth flow path:

Data Source

PatentEP3173561B1Housing for a drive of a door or window
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 GEZE GMBH
  • EP3173561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3173561B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3173561B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A housing (2) for a door or window drive (1) has a hydraulic chamber (3) filled with hydraulic fluid and a pressure equalization chamber (5), which is separated from the hydraulic chamber (3) by a pressure- and/or temperature-dependent closure (6). The closure (6) is provided in a sleeve (8) that can be inserted into the housing (2) in a through-hole (7), wherein at least one guide channel (10, 12) is additionally provided along the sleeve (8) through which hydraulic fluid and/or air can freely pass.