Door Stop Link Mechanism for Wind-Stable Enclosure Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enclosures used in outdoor applications often require a mechanical stop to hold doors open, especially in windy conditions, to prevent them from swinging shut and ensure easy access for maintenance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A door stop mechanism featuring a link member pivotally connected to the door and housing, with an elongated slot and an enlarged opening, allows a fastener to slide and hold the door open by engaging with the housing when the door is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple hinge is used to attach the door to the housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the door cannot be held in an open position and may swing shut due to wind or imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The link member is designed to transition between two states: during door closing, it allows dynamic movement with the fastener sliding along the linear portion of the slot; during door opening, it locks into a static position with the fastener engaged in the enlarged opening, providing hands-free holding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The link member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the door and housing, using the fastener-slot interaction to mediate between the simple hinge connection and the door holding requirement, enabling both movement and positioning functions
2Reliability
If the door is left unsecured in outdoor applications, then the device complexity is minimized, but the door may swing shut unexpectedly causing safety issues and reduced accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is designed to be self-latching through the geometric relationship between the fastener and the enlarged opening. Once the door reaches the open position, the fastener automatically engages with the enlarged opening without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or power sources to maintain the door position
Solution Approach 2:
The slot is segmented into two distinct functional zones: the linear portion that guides the fastener during door movement, and the enlarged opening that provides a discrete locking position. This segmentation allows the mechanism to provide reliable door holding through simple geometric features rather than complex control systems
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 mechanism effectively keeps the door open without requiring manual holding, enhancing accessibility, safety, and efficiency by providing a secure and adjustable means to maintain the door in an open position.
Implementation Method 1
a link member pivotally connected to the door and to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes an enclosure having a housing and door hingedly attached to the housing and a door stop mechanism which holds the door in an open position. The mechanism includes a link member pivotally connected to the door and to the housing. The link member has an elongated slot which extends along a portion of the link member. The slot has a linear portion and an enlarged opening at an end thereof which is offset from the linear portion. When the door is opened, a fastener, which is either mounted to the housing or to the door, slides along the slot until the fastener is positioned in the enlarged opening to hold the door open.