Barrier-Free Door Threshold with Drainage Profile and Adapter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional revolving doors with thresholds present a barrier for accessibility, requiring modifications to create a barrier-free passage for front or shop doors.

Innovation Solution

A door threshold system is adapted by attaching an aluminum drainage profile with a starting angle of at least 3° to the existing threshold, combined with an adapter profile on the revolving door leaf, forming a gap balance and using end cap profiles for water drainage, and a thermally separated floor seal adapter profile with aluminum and PVC materials to create a barrier-free threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional revolving door with threshold stop is used, then the door provides sealing and structural stability, but it creates a barrier that prevents barrier-free passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier-free passageVSAvoidsealing function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The threshold system is divided into separate functional components: the attachment profile for barrier-free passage, the adapter profile for sealing, and the drainage integration. This segmentation allows the door to provide both barrier-free access and reliable sealing through coordinated components rather than a single obstructive threshold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment profile acts as an intermediary element mounted on the existing threshold, creating a gap-balanced transition that enables barrier-free passage while the adapter profile on the door leaf provides the sealing function. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by mediating between the threshold structure and the door leaf.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the threshold protrudes above floor level to provide sealing, then sealing is improved, but accessibility and barrier-free passage are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is localized to the adapter profile on the door leaf rather than requiring a protruding threshold. The attachment profile on the threshold provides a flush, barrier-free surface, while the adapter profile creates the seal at the door leaf level, distributing sealing functionality to the appropriate location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a barrier-free threshold is installed, then accessibility is improved, but water drainage capability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidwater accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment profile merges multiple functions: it creates a barrier-free threshold surface, provides structural attachment, and integrates drainage channels. The drainage function is combined with the threshold structure itself, allowing water to be channeled away while maintaining a flush, accessible surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment profile serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a threshold adapter for barrier-free passage, provides structural support, and functions as a drainage system through integrated channels. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining accessibility and water management in a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the door threshold is modified to enable barrier-free passage, then accessibility is improved, but installation complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier-free passageVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment and adapter profiles are pre-designed and pre-configured as ready-to-install components that attach to existing door threshold structures. The preliminary design of these accessory profiles simplifies the conversion process, allowing barrier-free passage to be achieved through straightforward attachment rather than complex reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables the conversion of conventional revolving doors into barrier-free doors without a threshold stop, allowing easy assembly and maintaining functionality while ensuring rainwater drainage and thermal separation.

Implementation Method 1

An aluminum drainage profile is placed on the existing door sill with a minimum slope of 3°. The drainage profile, which contains at least two drainage channels, is designed such that the outer channel facing outward is provided with drainage holes or slots below the door sill or outside the building's waterproofing.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven water flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The drainage profile can be placed or positioned on the existing door sill with a customized contour using double-sided adhesive tape.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

The so-called floor seal adapter profile below the door leaf is designed to be thermally separated. For this purpose, aluminum is preferably provided on the outside and a PVC profile on the inside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal separation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2957702B2Door sill system for a house door, a shop door or the like
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 GRUNDMEIER
  • EP2957702B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2957702B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2957702B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a threshold system for a front door, a shop door, or the like, comprising a door frame (1) with a swing door leaf (2), wherein a thermally broken threshold (4), consisting of a base profile (5) with attached tread profiles (6) and (7), is adapted to the vertically arranged profile ends (3) of the door frame (1), which interacts sealingly with the lower swing door leaf profile (9) when the door is closed. To provide a barrier-free door, consisting of mounted door frames (1) with swing door leaves (2), an extension profile (8) can be mounted on the existing threshold (4) on the one hand, and an adapter profile (10) can be mounted on the swing door leaf profile (2) on the other hand, which compensate for the threshold (4) and the stop (11) of the swing door leaf profile (9) in the threshold area, forming a gap (12).