Foldable Garage Door Screen with Counterweight Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garage doors made of wood or metal are costly and difficult to fabricate, and there is a need for a more affordable and efficient solution for covering garage door openings.
Innovation Solution
A foldable garage door apparatus comprising a screen made of flexible, perforated material with attachment arms and a bar that can move between retracted and extended positions, allowing for easy installation and operation, and providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional wood or metal doors are used, then strength and durability are improved, but cost and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door is divided into multiple panels connected by hinges, allowing each panel to be manufactured separately and assembled into a complete door. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining overall structural strength through the interconnected panel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible screen material instead of rigid wood or metal panels. The screen material is stretched taut across the door frame and secured with weights and cables, creating a durable yet easily manufactured door that resists environmental factors without requiring complex fabrication processes.
2Strength
If traditional wood or metal doors are used, then strength and durability are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door uses inexpensive screen material, simple hardware components, and basic fastening mechanisms instead of expensive wood or metal panels. The design accepts that individual components may need replacement but maintains overall cost-effectiveness through the use of affordable materials and simplified construction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible screen material provides sufficient strength for residential applications at a fraction of the cost of traditional door materials. The tensioned screen design creates a durable structure that meets functional requirements without requiring expensive raw materials or complex manufacturing processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If screen material is used, then cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but resistance to elemental forces may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Weights are attached to the bottom edge of the screen to counteract wind pressure and prevent the screen from flapping or detaching during storms. This counterweight system provides stability and resistance to elemental forces without requiring complex structural reinforcements.
Solution Approach 2:
Cables and pulleys serve as intermediaries between the screen and the door frame, allowing the screen to be securely tensioned and adjusted. These intermediary components distribute forces evenly across the screen and frame connection points, enhancing resistance to environmental stresses while maintaining ease of installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A garage door apparatus includes a screen that includes a flexible, perforated material. The garage door apparatus includes a first attachment arm attached to a first portion of a second side of the screen. The garage door apparatus includes a second attachment arm attached to a second portion of the second side of the screen. The garage door apparatus includes a third attachment arm attached to a first portion of a fourth side of the screen. The garage door apparatus includes a fourth attachment arm attached to a second portion of the fourth side of the screen. The garage door apparatus includes an attachment bar attached to the third side of the screen. The screen is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.