Extendable Track Cover for Sliding Door

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sliding door tracks are vulnerable to damage from falling debris when the sliding door is in the closed position, as existing solutions do not effectively protect the track from such intrusions.

Innovation Solution

An extendable, semi-rigid track cover with a deployment mechanism that retracts and deploys over the sliding door track, using a spool system and living hinges to form a kerf-bent structure that acts as a physical barrier, protecting the track from debris while allowing easy retraction when the door is opened.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed cover is used to protect the wing track, then the track is protected from debris, but the cover cannot be retracted when the door is opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack protectionVSAvoidcover retraction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed as a dynamic structure that can change its state between deployed and retracted positions. It is attached to the sliding door assembly and automatically deploys when the door is closed and retracts when the door is opened, allowing the system to adapt to different operational states while maintaining both protection and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a retractable cover is used, then the cover can be retracted when the door is opened, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover retraction capabilityVSAvoiddeployment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deployment mechanism is merged with the sliding door assembly itself. The cover is attached to the sliding door or stationary wing, and the deployment mechanism utilizes the existing door movement to automatically deploy and retract the cover, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the cover is made semi-rigid, then it provides effective protection, but it becomes difficult to retract and store

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective barrier strengthVSAvoidcover retraction ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The semi-rigid cover is segmented into multiple sections or panels that can flex relative to each other. This segmentation allows the cover to maintain its structural integrity and protective capability when deployed, while enabling it to bend and retract along the spool mechanism when the door is opened, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for protection and flexibility for retraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10494847B1Extendable track cover for a sliding door

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 PHILLIP STEVEN

AI summary

The extendable track cover for a sliding door protects the wing track of the sliding door from damage from refuse that may fall into the wing track while the sliding door is in the closed position. The cover is retracted directly onto a spool of a deployment mechanism when the sliding door is opened.