Continuous Elastic Connecting Element for Sectional Door Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sectional door bolt arrangements are complex to assemble and do not provide adequate burglary security, as they require individual rod sections and adjustments, leading to incomplete locking and increased installation effort.

Innovation Solution

A continuous, elastically bendable connecting element that spans the entire length between the actuating device and locking devices, embedded within a door leaf core, simplifies assembly and ensures secure locking by allowing two or more locking devices to be adjusted with a single actuating element, while avoiding the need for individual rod sections and accommodating dimensional changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If individual rod sections are used to connect locking devices, then the bolt arrangement can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidbolt arrangement structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual rod sections into a single continuous elastically bendable connecting element that spans the entire length between the actuating device and locking devices. This eliminates the need for separate rod sections and their associated connection points, significantly simplifying the assembly process while reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element is designed with continuous bending lines that allow it to adapt to the three-dimensional arrangement of locking devices at different positions. This segmentation through bending lines enables the single element to navigate around the door leaf structure and connect multiple locking devices without requiring mechanical joints or adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple locking devices are used to improve burglary security, then security is enhanced, but the actuation mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburglary securityVSAvoidactuation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple locking devices into a single actuation system using one continuous connecting element that transmits force from a single actuating device to all locking devices simultaneously. This ensures that all locking elements are actuated together, providing reliable burglary security while keeping the actuation mechanism simple and unified.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If rod sections are attached to individual door leaf elements, then locking functionality is achieved, but installation effort and adjustment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionalityVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent attaches the single continuous connecting element to multiple door leaf elements at different positions, eliminating the need for separate rod section installations. The element is continuously guided through grooves in the door leaf elements, ensuring reliable locking functionality while dramatically reducing installation effort and eliminating adjustment requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the connecting element is made rigid to maintain force transmission, then locking reliability improves, but adaptability to tilting axes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmissionVSAvoidadaptability to tilting axes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a continuous elastically bendable connecting element that can flex and adapt to the tilting movements of door leaf elements while maintaining its structural integrity and force transmission capability. The element's elastic bendability allows it to conform to the dynamic geometry of the door assembly during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element is designed with continuous bending lines that allow it to dynamically adapt its shape as the door leaf elements tilt during opening and closing operations. This dynamic adaptability ensures continuous force transmission to the locking devices regardless of the door's position or orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution simplifies the assembly process and enhances burglary security by ensuring reliable locking with reduced effort and improved stability, as the connecting element maintains force transmission and adapts to tilting axes without altering the door frame dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

a continuous, elastically bendable connecting element that spans the entire length between the actuating device and locking devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2159365B1Sectional door with door and lock-bolt assembly
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 HORMANN BROCKHAGEN
  • EP2159365B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2159365B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2159365B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The locking arrangement has a connecting device with a connecting element (20) extending continuously through the total length between an actuating device and a locking device. The connecting element bends, particularly elastically bends perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and parallel to the deflection line. The door leaf swivels relative to a swiveling axis running in a closing position of the gate leaf. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a sectional door with a guide rail arrangement; and (2) a method for manufacturing a sectional door.