Lift-and-Slide Damping Device for Rolling Carriage Stress Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lift-slide door or window mechanisms face significant stress and reduced lifespan due to the weight of the leaf during unlocking and opening, as the assistance springs in current designs oppose rather than accompany the vertical movement, leading to premature wear of the rolling means.

Innovation Solution

A damping device with a rotatably mounted box and integral elastic return means, such as a spring, acts directly on the rolling carriage to assist the lifting and lowering motion, ensuring the spring's action aligns with the movement direction regardless of its state of compression, thereby reducing stress on the locking fitting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If assistance springs are mounted in conventional designs, then lifting assistance is provided, but the springs oppose rather than accompany the vertical movement, causing premature wear of the rolling means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting assistance forceVSAvoidlifespan of rolling means
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional spring mounting orientation. Instead of mounting springs to push upward on the rolling carriage (which opposes downward movement during closing), the springs are mounted to pull upward on the rolling carriage. This inversion allows the springs to accompany the leaf during both lifting (opening) and lowering (closing) operations, reducing wear on the rolling means while maintaining lifting assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If the locking mechanism supports the full weight of the door leaf, then the door can be locked securely, but the locking mechanism is subjected to high stress and reduced lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking capabilityVSAvoidlifespan of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces assistance springs that act as counterweights to the door leaf. These springs are mounted on the locking mechanism and provide upward lifting force during opening and closing operations. By counterbalancing the weight of the door leaf, the springs reduce the stress on the locking mechanism, allowing it to maintain secure locking capability while extending its lifespan through reduced wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the spring action does not align with the movement direction, then the mechanical assistance is inefficient, but the locking mechanism experiences excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical assistance efficiencyVSAvoidstress on locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the spring action dynamic by mounting the springs on the locking mechanism rather than on fixed supports. This allows the springs to move with the locking mechanism throughout the door's opening and closing cycle, ensuring that the spring force continuously aligns with the direction of movement. This dynamic mounting improves mechanical assistance efficiency and reduces stress on the locking mechanism by eliminating misalignment forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 damping device optimizes the mechanical assistance, ensuring it accompanies the movement effectively, reducing the stress on the locking fitting and extending its lifespan by facilitating smoother operation and energy recovery during the lifting and closing phases.

Implementation Method 1

a first end of elastic return means, such as a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3401484B1Building openings such as doors or windows with sliding-lifting leaf and damping device
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 FERCO
  • EP3401484B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a damper device for building joinery such as lift-and-slide doors or windows 1 with a sash 2, comprising a mounting bracket 20, particularly suitable for being attached to the lower rail 10 of such a lift-and-slide sash 2, a mounting bracket 20 to which one end 36 of a housing 21 is attached. The housing 21 comprises a longitudinal recess 25 having a base 27 on which a first end 29 of elastic return means 22, such as a spring 23, rests, a second end 30 of which emerges from said recess 25, particularly through a push button 24. Advantageously, said housing 21 is mounted to rotate freely on the mounting bracket 20.