Door Seal Gear Assembly for Low-Force Sliding Door Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The restoring force of return springs in automatic door seals for sliding doors opposes the closing movement, requiring excessive effort to close the door and can potentially cause the door to open unintentionally.
Innovation Solution
A gear arrangement with a trigger, gear elements, and a transmission element is used to transmit force indirectly through a gear ratio greater than 1, reducing the required actuation force to move the sealing strip from the release position to the sealing position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a return spring is used in the movement mechanism to restore the sealing strip to the release position, then the sealing strip can be automatically returned to its initial position, but the return spring exerts a counteracting force that increases the effort required to close the sliding door and can even cause the door to open
Solution Approach 1:
A trigger mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the door closing force and the return spring. The trigger transfers the closing force to the movement mechanism while isolating the door from the counteracting force of the return spring, allowing the sealing strip to be actuated without directly opposing the door closing force
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the trigger (force transfer element), the movement mechanism (sealing strip actuator), and the return spring (restoration element). This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, with the trigger mediating the force interaction between the door and the return spring
2Ease of operation
If the trigger protrudes beyond the door leaf to strike the door frame for actuation, then the door seal can be activated by door closing, but the trigger requires sufficient protrusion distance to effectively strike and transfer force
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger is oriented perpendicular to the door leaf surface, utilizing the depth dimension rather than extending horizontally beyond the door edge. This allows the trigger to be actuated by the door closing movement in a compact space without requiring excessive protrusion distance
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 gear arrangement reduces the force needed to close the door, overcoming the opposing force of the return spring, while allowing for a longer actuation distance, thus maintaining the door in the closed position without additional effort.
Implementation Method 1
A gear arrangement with a trigger, at least one gear element, and a transmission element, where the gear ratio is greater than 1, reducing the external force needed to move the sealing strip from the release position to the sealing position
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
• The invention relates to a gear arrangement (7) for use in or with an automatic door seal, • comprising a trigger (71), • comprising at least one gear element (75, 76) and • comprising a transmission element (72), • comprising a gear, • wherein the trigger (71) has a stop surface (711) with which the trigger (71) can strike a door frame or other element to introduce a force into the gear, • wherein the trigger (71) and the transmission element (72) are coupled via the at least one gear element (75, 76), • wherein the transmission element (72) has a connecting or contact structure to connect the transmission element (72) to a movement mechanism or a trigger of the automatic seal or to bear against the movement mechanism or the trigger (71) of the automatic seal, and • wherein the gear ratio is greater than 1.