Manual Release Mechanism for Motor-Driven Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor-driven swinging door and gate systems with arm actuators face issues in emergency manual operation due to excessive force requirements and inaccessible release devices, especially when the actuator and door length ratio is low, leading to difficulties in manual opening and potential trapping situations.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical device is installed between the door leaf and actuator, featuring a wedge-shaped bolt and sliding mechanism that allows for easy manual operation by overriding internal friction, accessible from both sides, and automatically re-engaging for normal operation, using a push or pull mechanism similar to manual operation, without requiring substantial system modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the actuator and door length ratio is low (approaching unity), then the door can be compact and space-efficient, but the pushing or pulling force required for manual opening becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor lengthVSAvoidpushing or pulling force for manual opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical device is introduced as an intermediary between the door leaf and the actuator. This device includes a releasing bolt that can be actuated to disconnect the actuator from the door leaf, allowing manual operation without the actuator's internal friction and viscosity resistance. The intermediary mechanism enables force multiplication and reduces the manual effort required to move the door.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the actuator and door leaf is segmented into two states: connected (for automatic operation) and disconnected (for manual operation). The releasing bolt mechanism allows the door leaf to be separated from the actuator during manual operation, eliminating the harmful internal friction forces that would otherwise oppose manual movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the release device is made accessible from outside with the door completely closed, then emergency manual operation can be performed from outside, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of release deviceVSAvoidrelease device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The releasing bolt mechanism serves multiple functions: it can be actuated from either inside or outside the door, and it provides both the release function and the manual operation interface. The mechanism integrates the release function with the manual operation capability, eliminating the need for separate complex release mechanisms while maintaining accessibility from both sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If the manual operation mechanism is made simple and immediate, then emergency operation can be performed quickly, but the ability to restore normal automatic operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for emergency manual operationVSAvoidease of restoring normal operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical device is designed to automatically restore the normal connection between the actuator and door leaf after manual operation. When the releasing bolt is actuated to disconnect the actuator, the simple mechanical linkage automatically re-engages when the door is closed, restoring normal automatic operation without requiring manual intervention or complex restoration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables effortless manual operation of motor-driven doors in emergencies with minimal effort, ensuring safe passage from both inside and outside, and restoring automatic operation seamlessly, without altering existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a spring (11) designed to push the bolt (9) towards the slide (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

opposing this movement is the internal friction of the actuator (and viscosity of the hydraulic oil in the case of oleodynamic actuators)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The pushing or pulling force to be impressed upon the leaf to obtain opening thereof by persons can, however, become excessive in unfavourable situations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2101024B1Manually operated mechanical release device for electromechanical or oleodynamic actuators used for powering gates or doors with swinging leaves
Publication Date: 2015.11.04 CEBI
  • EP2101024B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2101024B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2101024B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A manually operated mechanical release device for electromechanical or oleodynamic actuators (2) used for powering gates or doors with swinging leaves (1), comprising manual releasing/blocking means designed to be set between a front end (3) of the actuator (2) and the motor-driven swinging leaf (1).