Door Height Adjustment Kit with Integrated Hinge Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door height adjustment systems for reinforced doors are inefficient, requiring frequent maintenance, inhomogeneous weight distribution, and are costly, complex, and hazardous, especially for delicate flooring and requiring multiple operators.

Innovation Solution

A kit comprising two concealed hinges and an actuator device that allows for the adjustment of a door's height by sliding along a tubular support structure, ensuring homogeneous weight distribution and allowing single-operator adjustment without direct contact with the door, thus preserving the floor and reducing maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a lifting device is used to adjust door height, then the door can be raised from the floor, but the device wears the floor and requires frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor height adjustmentVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the hinge with integrated lifting capability) that mediates between the door and the floor. The hinge acts as a mediator that distributes the lifting force evenly across multiple contact points, preventing direct wear on the floor while maintaining adjustment capability. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for separate lifting devices that directly contact and wear the floor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the hinge function with the lifting function into a single integrated component. The hinge is designed to perform both the door suspension function and the height adjustment function simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate lifting devices. This consolidation reduces the number of components that can fail and eliminates the floor wear issue associated with separate lifting devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a lifting device is used to adjust door height, then the door can be raised from the floor, but multiple operators are required and it is dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor height adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of operators
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple operators into a single integrated hinge mechanism. The hinge is designed to bear the entire door weight and provide adjustment capability through a single component system, eliminating the need for multiple operators to lift and adjust the door separately. This merging of functions reduces operational complexity and safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge is designed to be self-sufficient, bearing the door weight and providing adjustment capability without requiring external assistance. The integrated lifting mechanism allows the door to be adjusted through the hinge's built-in capabilities rather than requiring multiple operators to manually lift and position the door, making the system self-service capable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual repositioning of hinges is performed, then height adjustment is achieved, but weight distribution becomes inhomogeneous causing misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustmentVSAvoiddoor alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the weight distribution function with the adjustment function in the hinge design. The hinge is configured to evenly distribute the door weight across its contact points while simultaneously providing height adjustment capability. This integration ensures that adjustment operations maintain homogeneous weight distribution and prevent misalignment, as the same component that bears the weight also controls the adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If known lifting devices are used, then height adjustment is possible, but the devices are expensive and complicated requiring expert operators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustmentVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the overall system by merging multiple functions into a single hinge component. Instead of using complex separate lifting devices, the hinge integrates suspension, adjustment, and weight distribution functions. This simplification reduces device complexity and eliminates the need for expensive expert operators, as the integrated design is easier to operate and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3080371B1Kit for adjusting the height of a door with respect to the floor
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 IN & TEC
  • EP3080371B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3080371B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3080371B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~3

AI summary

A system for adjusting the height (h) of a door (D), in particular a reinforced door, with respect to the floor (FL). The system includes: a tubular support structure (F, CF); at least one pair of hinges (100, 200) slidably mounted on the tubular support structure (F, CF) to slide along a first axis (Y) parallel to the rotation axis (Υ') of the door (D) and an actuator device (300) acting on at least one of the hinges (100) for moving thereof along a second axis (Y). The actuator device (300) comprises: a main body (310) fixable or fixed within the tubular support structure (F, CF); and a slider (320) sliding along the second axis (Y). The main body (310) includes at least one adjustment screw (330) interacting with the slider (320) accessible from the outside of the tubular support structure (F, CF) by a user to allow the variation of the height (h) of the door (D) with respect to the floor (FL).