Vertically Foldable Door Inwards Folding Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vertically foldable doors with flexible materials face issues with strong winds causing door leaves to fold inward, leading to malfunction and potential damage, as wind loads push sections of the door between intermediate support members into the interspace between the door leaves.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an inwards folding prevention device comprising parallel ribs connected by a first and second connection arrangement, which assume a horizontal position during folding and are raised during unfolding, providing support and preventing inward folding by being foldable and compact, with a lifting mechanism to assist in raising the ribs and secure attachment to support members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the door leaves are made of flexible material to enable vertical folding, then the door can be lifted and folded during operation, but the door leaves become vulnerable to wind loads that can push them inward between support members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidwind load vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing an inwards folding prevention device that proactively counteracts the harmful inward folding effect before it occurs. The device includes elements positioned in the interspace between door leaves that prevent wind pressure from pushing the flexible door material inward between support members, thus neutralizing the harmful effect before it can damage the door structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary element - the inwards folding prevention device consisting of ribs or bars positioned between the door leaves - that mediates between the flexible door leaves and the harmful wind loads. This intermediary structure transfers and distributes wind forces, preventing direct concentration of force that would cause inward folding between support members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If intermediate support members are provided to transfer wind load to vertical guides, then wind load transfer capability is improved, but sections of door leaf can still be pushed into the interior of the door between support members under strong winds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind load transferVSAvoiddoor operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the prevention function into multiple elements - several ribs or bars are positioned at different locations within the interspace between door leaves. This segmented approach creates multiple barriers that collectively prevent inward folding, ensuring that even if one element is compromised, others remain to maintain door reliability under strong wind conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the door leaves are made of flexible material, then the door can be vertically folded during lifting operation, but the fabric and door structure are at risk of damage when folded inward by wind

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical folding operationVSAvoiddoor leaf damage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning protective ribs or bars in advance within the interspace between door leaves. These elements are pre-positioned to cushion and absorb the impact of wind loads before they can force the flexible fabric inward, protecting the door structure from damage while maintaining the ease of vertical folding operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3159472B1A vertically foldable door

Publication Date: 2019.09.25 ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYST AB

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AI summary

A vertically foldable door (20), said door comprising two foldable door leaves (22, 24) arranged in parallel and at a distance from each other and thereby forming an interspace (26) between the two door leaves (22, 24). The door leaves are made of a flexible material. The door (20) is configured to be lifted in a lifting operation during which the door leaves (22, 24) are folded and to be lowered in a lowering operation during which the door leaves are unfolded. The door comprises an inwards folding prevention device (1) arranged in the interspace (26) between the two door leaves (22, 24), such that inwards folding into the interspace (26) of at least a part of at least one of the door leaves (22, 24) is prevented during the lifting operation.