Folding Sliding Door Leaf Profiles With Snap-Lock Thermal Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-leaf folding sliding doors require significant manufacturing and assembly effort due to numerous components, leading to high costs and reduced tightness and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates composite profiles made of light metal with plastic spacers and identical locking profiles connected via form-fit and/or friction-fit snapping, reducing the need for screws and allowing pre-machining on a single operation, with differing cross-sectional dimensions for improved thermal insulation and reduced joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If profiles are screwed onto chamber profiles to form a fold, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly effort increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The locking profile integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides the fold structure, creates the rebate area, and forms the locking mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate screwed-on profiles and reduces assembly steps while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber profiles are pre-formed with integrated folds and rebate areas during the extrusion process, rather than requiring post-manufacturing assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent screwing operations and reduces both manufacturing and assembly effort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to form the composite profile, then the functional requirements are met, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking profile combines multiple functional elements (fold structure, rebate, locking mechanism) into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts and eliminating the need for additional screws and assembly operations, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking profile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the fold, forms the rebate area, provides structural support, and enables the locking mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and lowers overall manufacturing costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional assembly methods are used, then the structural stability is achieved, but the tightness and appearance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated locking profile eliminates joints between separate components, creating a seamless structure that improves tightness and appearance while maintaining structural stability through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rebate areas are pre-formed during extrusion rather than assembled later, creating precise, joint-free surfaces that improve tightness and appearance while maintaining structural stability through the pre-formed geometry.
4Adaptability or versatility
If individual components are processed separately, then the manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but the machining time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated locking profile allows all features (folds, rebates, locking mechanisms) to be processed in a single operation on a machining center, eliminating the need for separate processing steps and reducing both machining time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The profiles are pre-formed with all necessary features during the extrusion process, allowing them to be processed in a single operation on a machining center rather than requiring multiple separate manufacturing steps, thereby reducing machining time and costs.
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
This approach simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, enhances tightness and appearance, and improves thermal insulation while maintaining stability and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the respective locking profile, which is arranged particularly in the faceplate area of the composite profile, is connected to the chamber profiles by a form-fit and/or friction-fit connection, in particular by snapping
Implementation Method 2
the locking profile can also be connected to an adjacent spacer by snapping, resulting in a very stable connection
Implementation Method 3
The design of each composite profile according to the invention leads to significantly improved thermal insulation and increased tightness
Implementation Method 4
resulting in an overhang of one chamber profile to the other, specifically on the side facing the other sash or composite profile... significantly improved thermal insulation and increased tightness, especially against driving rain and air permeability
Data Source
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AI summary
Multi-leaf door of a folding sliding door, in which each leaf has a frame consisting of composite profiles (1), each with a first chamber profile (2) and a second chamber profile (3) spaced apart from it, which are connected to each other by spacers (4), with the following features: - the opposing composite profiles (1) of two leaves which can be moved relative to each other for opening and closing are closed at least partially on their facing sides by locking profiles (5) of identical cross-section, - the chamber profiles (2, 3) of each of these opposing composite profiles (1) differ in their cross-sectional dimensions when viewed in the sliding direction of the respective leaf, forming a projection on the side facing the other composite profile (1).