Folding Door Locking Post Groove Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tubular locking posts for folding doors often have locking elements and handles that protrude, causing interference and damage from contact with objects or people, and lack protection for these components.

Innovation Solution

The tubular locking post features deep and wide central grooves on its side walls, either external or internal, which house and protect the locking elements and serve as integral handles, reducing the likelihood of damage and interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If locking elements and handles project outwardly from the side wall of the post, then accessibility and operability are improved, but susceptibility to damage and interference from contact with objects or people increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of locking elementsVSAvoiddamage from contact with objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements and handles are nested within a groove cut into the side wall of the post, rather than projecting outward. This recessed configuration protects them from contact damage while maintaining accessibility for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove creates a localized protected zone on the side wall where locking elements reside. This local structural modification provides damage protection specifically where needed, without affecting the overall design or accessibility of the post.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If separate handles are added to the post for moving the door, then ease of moving the door is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of moving the doorVSAvoidnumber of separate components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handles are merged with the side wall structure itself through the groove formation. The groove sides serve dual purposes: protecting locking elements and providing gripping surfaces for moving the door, eliminating the need for separate handle components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects locking elements from damage, provides integral handles for moving the door, and maintains a streamlined appearance. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If locking elements are recessed into grooves for protection, then resistance to damage is improved, but accessibility for operation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from contact damageVSAvoidaccessibility of locking elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is designed with specific dimensions that provide adequate protection while maintaining accessibility. The groove depth and width are optimized to protect locking elements from contact damage while still allowing easy access for locking and unlocking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making locking elements more prominent for accessibility, the solution recesses them into the groove. This inverted approach shows that protection can be achieved without sacrificing accessibility, as the groove configuration actually facilitates easy access while providing damage protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9587424B2Post for a folding door

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 DYNAMIC CLOSURES AUST

AI summary

A locking post for a closure, the post having front and rear walls joined at their sides by two side walls to form a tubular post having a generally quadratic cross-sectional shape. Each side wall has a groove therein, the groove parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post, and wide enough and deep enough to at least partly receive a locking element carried by the post. The sides of the groove also provide handles which can be gripped to move a closure the post is mounted on.