Door Threshold With Movable Sealing Member for Wheelchair Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current door thresholds pose obstacles for wheelchair users due to design conflicts between accessibility and moisture safety, leading to inefficiencies and increased leakage issues, with existing solutions being bulky, costly, and lacking universality.
Innovation Solution
A modular door threshold system comprising a bottom member, ramp member, and sealing member that can adjust to different heights and configurations, allowing seamless wheelchair passage while maintaining sealing integrity, using a flexible sealing member with inherent biasing force to transition between resting and down-pressed states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard door threshold is used to meet sealing and fire requirements, then moisture safety and sealing are improved, but accessibility for wheelchair users deteriorates due to the obstacle created by the threshold edge
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold edge is made movable between an upper position (providing sealing) and a lower position (providing accessibility). The sealing member can be moved vertically to transition between these states, allowing the same structure to serve both sealing and accessibility functions at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The height position of the sealing member is changed between two states: upper position for sealing and lower position for wheelchair passage. This parameter change allows the threshold to adapt its function based on operational requirements.
2Ease of operation
If level differences are reduced to improve accessibility, then wheelchair passage is improved, but moisture safety and leakage prevention deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member dynamically adjusts its position: lowered to match the floor level for wheelchair access, then raised to create the necessary level difference for moisture prevention when the door is closed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the conflict between accessibility and moisture safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is raised to the upper position in advance before the door is closed, ensuring moisture safety is maintained. This preliminary action prevents leakage issues that would occur if the threshold remained at floor level.
3Ease of operation
If retrofitted ramp and wedge solutions are used to improve accessibility, then wheelchair passage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sealing member serves multiple functions: it acts as both a sealing element and an accessibility ramp. By integrating these two functions into a single component, the need for separate ramp structures is eliminated, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and ramp function are merged into a single movable sealing member. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate accessibility ramps and reduces the number of components required in the threshold assembly.
4Reliability
If a fixed high threshold is used to maintain sealing, then moisture safety is improved, but wheelchair accessibility deteriorates and time-consuming discussions about compliance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold transitions from a fixed high position to a movable structure that can be lowered. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for fixed high thresholds while maintaining leakage prevention, thereby resolving compliance uncertainties.
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 smooth wheelchair access and effective sealing without damaging existing doorways, adaptable to various door arrangements and height differences, reducing leakage and design complexities.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing member is adapted in shape and material to provide an inherent biasing force towards a resting state. If a force is applied on the sealing member, the sealing member is configured to move towards a down-pressed state.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a door threshold (1) for arrangement at a doorway between a first floor or ground surface (2) and a second floor or ground surface (3). The door threshold (1) comprises a bottom member (10) configured to be arranged on a bottom surface (4) of the doorway, and extend towards the second floor or ground surface (3); a ramp member (20) configured to, at a first end (21) of the ramp member be in contact with the first floor or ground surface (2); a sealing member (30) configured to, at a first engagement portion (31) of the sealing member, be attached to the ramp member (20), and at a second engagement portion (32) of the sealing member, be attached to the bottom member (10). The sealing member (30) is adapted in shape and material to provide an inherent biasing force towards a resting state. If a force is applied on the sealing member (30), the sealing member is configured to move towards a down-pressed state.