Door Operating System Inversion for Vehicle Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Older vehicle storage facilities and firehouse garages face challenges in upgrading door operating systems due to increased vehicle sizes, which restrict the space for door panels to swing inward, making it difficult to maximize available clearance.
Innovation Solution
A door operating system comprising two linkage assemblies and two motive sources, where each motive source is attached to the interior-facing surface of a structure's frame, allowing doors to open fully and maximize clearance by connecting to the exterior-facing surface of the frame, enabling the doors to open to the width of the frame opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If door panels swing inward to the interior side of the door opening, then door operation is achieved, but available clearance is reduced due to increased vehicle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional door swing direction by attaching the motive source to the interior-facing surface of the frame and the door to the exterior-facing surface. This reversal allows the door to swing outward rather than inward, maximizing the clearance area inside the door opening while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by moving the door attachment from the interior side to the exterior side of the frame, effectively utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness of the frame opening) to resolve the clearance conflict. This dimensional repositioning allows full utilization of the frame opening width without interference from inward-swinging doors.
2Volume of moving object
If vehicle size increases, then storage capacity is improved, but door panel swing space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space conflict by inverting the door swing direction. By attaching the door to the exterior-facing surface of the frame and the motive source to the interior-facing surface, the door swings outward away from the vehicle, allowing larger vehicles to be stored without reducing the swing space requirement.
3Area of stationary object
If door frames are enlarged to accommodate larger vehicles, then vehicle clearance is improved, but structural modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the door operating system into separate functional components: the motive source attached to the interior-facing surface, the linkage assembly, and the door attached to the exterior-facing surface. This segmentation allows the system to achieve full frame opening clearance without requiring enlargement or modification of the existing door frame structure itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A door operating system or door opening and closing apparatus comprising at least one motive source, a linkage assembly and a door. Preferred door operating systems will include two linkage assemblies, two doors and two motive sources, one for each door. Each motive source is preferably attached to an interior facing surface of a frame of a structure and the door is pivotally attached to an exterior facing surface of the frame of a structure. Each linkage assembly operatively connects the respective motive source to the respective door. By having the motive source attached to the interior facing surface of the frame, doors of the operating system can preferably be opened the full width of the frame opening to maximize available vehicle clearance.