Thermally Insulating Coupling Device for Sectional Door Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sectional doors fail to achieve satisfactory thermal separation between the interior and exterior spaces due to thermal bridges formed by the holding devices in their frame arrangements.

Innovation Solution

The use of a thermally insulating coupling device made of plastic, which connects the holding device to both inner and outer profiles of the frame arrangement without direct contact, preventing heat transfer and ensuring stable coupling and locking mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a holding device made of metallic material is used to secure the filling to the frame arrangement, then structural stability and secure locking are improved, but thermal separation between interior and exterior deteriorates due to thermal bridges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidthermal separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A plastic coupling device is introduced as an intermediary between the metallic holding device and the frame profiles. This coupling device thermally insulates the holding device from the profiles, preventing thermal bridges while maintaining the structural stability provided by the metallic holding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame arrangement uses a composite construction combining metallic profiles for structural strength, plastic connecting elements for thermal insulation, and metallic holding devices for secure locking. This multi-material approach resolves the contradiction between structural stability and thermal separation by assigning different materials to different functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If thermally insulating connecting elements made of plastic are used to connect frame profiles, then thermal separation is improved, but structural stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal separationVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The frame arrangement combines metallic profiles that provide structural strength with plastic connecting elements that provide thermal insulation. The metallic profiles maintain the load-bearing capacity while the plastic connectors prevent thermal bridges, achieving both structural stability and thermal separation simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the holding device directly contacts both inner and outer profiles, then secure locking of the filling is improved, but thermal bridges are created reducing thermal separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanismVSAvoidthermal separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic coupling device serves as a thermal intermediary that allows the metallic holding device to maintain direct contact with the filling for secure locking, while preventing direct thermal contact between the holding device and the aluminum profiles through its thermally insulating properties.

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

This solution effectively enhances thermal separation between the interior and exterior while maintaining structural stability and preventing deformation, without excessive material usage.

Implementation Method 1

the holding device can be coupled to the connecting device made of thermally insulating material via the coupling device while avoiding simultaneous contact with both profiles of the frame arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2666948B1Frame assembly for a panel for sectional doors
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 HORMANN BROCKHAGEN
  • EP2666948B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2666948B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2666948B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The frame assembly (10) has frame outer profile (20) and frame inner profile (40) of thermally insulating material that are connected in a perpendicular direction to the outside and inside, and are apart from each other. The connecting elements (80,100) are interconnected with the filling (50) facing the boundary surface (102) so that the positive connection of the filling and coupling portion (120) of the holding unit (60) is obtained.