Sectional Door Reinforcing Member and Roller Assembly Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing upwardly acting sectional door systems face challenges in resisting high wind pressures and debris impacts, with current reinforcement methods either requiring complex installation, adding excessive weight, or failing to distribute loads effectively, leading to structural issues and operational limitations.

Innovation Solution

The integration of longitudinal reinforcing members with roller assemblies that distribute external loads along the length of the door panels and attach directly to the roller carriers, eliminating the need for additional hardware and allowing for the use of thinner materials, reducing weight and installation complexity while enhancing wind resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional reinforcement systems (active or passive) are added to sectional doors, then wind resistance is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the reinforcing member and roller assembly into a single integrated unit. The roller assembly is directly mounted to the reinforcing member, eliminating the need for separate hardware attachments. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining wind resistance, as the integrated design requires fewer components and simplifies installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural reinforcement against wind loads, supports the roller assembly, and acts as a load-bearing element that transfers forces to the door structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby decreasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If traditional reinforcement systems are added to sectional doors, then wind resistance is improved, but installation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the roller assembly directly onto the reinforcing member as a pre-assembled unit, the installation process is simplified. The entire reinforcement system can be installed as one component rather than requiring separate assembly steps for reinforcing members and rollers, significantly reducing installation time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The roller assembly is pre-mounted to the reinforcing member during manufacturing, allowing the reinforcement system to be installed as a complete unit on-site. This preliminary assembly eliminates time-consuming field installation steps and reduces the skill level required for installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If heavy reinforcement systems are used to increase windload resistance, then strength is improved, but weight increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindload velocity pressure resistanceVSAvoiddoor weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite construction where the reinforcing member and door panel are integrated as a unified structure. This composite design optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio by strategically placing reinforcement only where structurally necessary, rather than uniformly throughout the entire door assembly, thereby increasing windload resistance without proportionally increasing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement is concentrated in specific critical areas of the door panel where wind loads are most impactful, rather than uniformly distributing weight across the entire door. This localized reinforcement approach maximizes strength where needed while minimizing unnecessary weight additions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If reinforcing members are integrated into door panels, then wind resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The door panel is divided into functional segments: the base panel structure and the integrated reinforcing member assembly. This segmentation allows the reinforcing member to be manufactured separately and then attached to the panel, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to creating fully integrated monolithic structures while still achieving the wind resistance benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7874342B2Wind resistant movable barrier

Publication Date: 2011.01.25 OVERHEAD DOOR CORP

AI summary

A door system (20) having a door (21) movable between a closed position and an open position, a plurality of panels (40-43; 140-143; 240-243), a facer (45; 145; 245) generally defining the configuration of the panels, hinges (50; 150; 250) joining adjacent of the panels for articulation in moving between the closed position and the open position, a reinforcing member (65; 165; 265) associated with the facer extending substantially the longitudinal length of at least one of the panels, a roller assembly (80; 180; 280) mounted on the reinforcing member, and a track system (31, 32; 131, 132; 231, 232) operatively interrelated with the roller assembly, whereby forces imparted to the facer are transferred to the track system through the reinforcing member and the roller assembly.