Gas Spring Cable Pull Gate Construction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gate constructions require large installation space and are prone to sudden failure due to the use of long spiral or coil springs, which increases the risk of accidents during manual or motor-assisted opening and closing, especially in non-swinging gates.

Innovation Solution

A gate construction using a gas pressure spring arranged on a cable pull system, where the gas pressure spring has a spring progression of less than 30%, allowing for efficient force application over the entire opening or closing path, with a pulley block-type cable arrangement to optimize space usage and prevent sudden failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If long coil springs are used for weight compensation, then the gate leaf can be opened and closed, but the installation space requirement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegate operation reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The gas spring is integrated into the cable pull mechanism, with the cable pull arranged in a bottle-like manner around the gas spring. This nesting arrangement allows the spring mechanism to be compact and fit within the gate structure without requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable pull is arranged in a bottle-like configuration that transforms the linear spring movement into a rotational or multi-directional cable movement. This dimensional transformation allows the gate leaf movement to be converted into a compact spring compression motion, reducing the space required for the spring mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Force

If long coil springs are used for non-swinging gates, then lower compressive forces can be managed, but the spring travel distance must be long which increases installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive force managementVSAvoidspring travel distance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle-like arrangement of the cable pull converts the linear compression motion of the gas spring into a rotational or multi-directional cable movement. This allows the spring to achieve the necessary force multiplication without requiring a long linear travel distance, thus managing compressive forces effectively in a compact space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable pull acts as an intermediary mechanism between the gate leaf and the gas spring. It transforms the spring's compression force into the necessary lifting force for the gate leaf, allowing force management without requiring the spring itself to have a long travel distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If coil springs are used for weight compensation, then the gate can be opened and closed, but sudden spring breakage can occur causing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegate opening and closingVSAvoidsafety against sudden failure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A gas spring is used instead of a mechanical coil spring. Gas springs provide gradual failure modes and do not suddenly break like metal coil springs. The gas spring maintains consistent pressure throughout its stroke and provides a more reliable, safer operation for gate opening and closing without the risk of sudden catastrophic failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Reliability

If gas springs are compressed over long distances, then weight compensation is achieved, but the load on the gas spring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight compensationVSAvoidload on gas spring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle-like cable pull arrangement transforms the linear compression distance into a rotational or multi-directional movement. This allows the gas spring to be compressed over a shorter distance while still achieving the necessary weight compensation through the mechanical advantage provided by the cable pull geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable pull mechanism acts as an intermediary that multiplies the force from the gas spring. By arranging the cable pull in a bottle-like configuration, the system achieves weight compensation with reduced spring compression distance, thereby reducing the load on the gas spring while maintaining effective gate support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution provides a safe, durable, and low-maintenance gate construction that requires minimal space, ensures consistent opening and closing forces, and reduces the risk of accidents by using a gas pressure spring that absorbs higher pressure forces and has a longer service life compared to traditional springs.

Implementation Method 1

a gas spring arranged on the cable pull, wherein a movement of the gate leaf in the opening direction generates a spring movement, in particular a compression movement, of the gas spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the cable pull is arranged in a bottle-like manner and pressure is applied to the gate leaf in the opening direction by means of a gas spring arranged on the cable pull

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP2476838B1Door construction
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 KAUFERLE
  • EP2476838B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The door structure (10) has a door leaf (14) guided by a door leaf guide (12). The door leaf is formed such that it is impinged by a wire rope (16) in an open position. The wire rope is arranged in pulley block-shaped manner. The pressure impingement of the door leaf in an opening direction is obtained by a gas pressure spring (18) arranged on the wire rope. The movement of the door leaf in the opening direction generates a spring movement of the gas pressure spring.