Modular Linear Motor Carriage for Variable-Width Sliding Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door systems with linear motor devices face challenges in accommodating sliding doors of varying dimensions and require complex installations, especially when space is limited, such as in door recesses.

Innovation Solution

A modular linear motor device with a modular drive unit and runner part, allowing adaptation to different door widths by detachable modules, and a simple operating mechanism that can be easily installed in confined spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the linear motor device is designed with a fixed-length drive unit, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but it cannot accommodate sliding doors of varying dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different door widthsVSAvoidcomplexity of modular drive unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is divided into multiple detachable drive unit body modules that can be connected in series to achieve different lengths. Each module contains necessary drive components, allowing the overall drive unit length to be adjusted by varying the number of connected modules, thus accommodating different sliding door widths while maintaining a standardized modular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drive unit length is made dynamically adjustable through the detachable modular design. Users can add or remove drive unit body modules based on the specific installation requirements and door width, transforming a static fixed-length design into a dynamic configurable system that adapts to different spatial constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the drive unit is made longer to accommodate wider doors, then more doors can be served, but the installation space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of different door widthsVSAvoidlength of drive unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the drive unit into detachable modules, the system can achieve variable lengths without requiring a completely different design for each door width. Only the necessary number of modules are connected and installed, minimizing the installed length while maintaining coverage for different door widths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides the capability for excessive length through additional modules, but only the required partial length is actually installed and used. This allows the system to serve a wide range of door widths while keeping the physical installation compact by connecting only the necessary number of modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If the linear motor device uses a non-modular design, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but installation in confined spaces like door recesses becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidadaptability to confined spaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The modular design with detachable drive unit body modules enables the drive unit to be disassembled into smaller components for installation in confined spaces. After installation, the modules are connected to achieve the required length, combining ease of handling in tight spaces with the necessary operational length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic configurability of the modular drive unit allows it to be adapted to various installation scenarios, including confined door recesses. The system can be configured with the minimum necessary length for each specific location, making installation easier while maintaining versatility across different spatial constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the operating device takes up more space to include all control functions, then functionality is more complete, but installation in limited spaces becomes harder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidspace occupied by operating device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The operating device is designed with multi-functionality, integrating multiple control functions (manual operation, remote control, smart home system integration) into a compact unit. This allows complete control functionality to be achieved without proportionally increasing the device's physical size, enabling installation in space-constrained environments.

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

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 easy installation and operation of sliding doors with varying dimensions, even in limited spaces, by allowing modular adjustment of the drive unit and runner part, facilitating installation in door recesses and integrating with smart home systems.

Implementation Method 1

at least one stator part arranged in a guide rail (2) and at least one drive unit (11), which is slidably held in the guide rail (2), has running elements (1151, 1152) mounted in the running rail (2), which can be connected to the associated sliding door (8) by means of mounting devices (7), and which comprises a running gear body (111) and a runner part (112), which runner part carries a plurality of individual runner magnets (1122) facing the stator part (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4682338A1Linear motor device for a sliding door system and sliding door system
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 HAWA SLIDING SOLUTIONS AG
  • EP4682338A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4682338A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4682338A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The linear motor device (1), which is provided for a sliding door arrangement (9) with at least one sliding door (8), comprises at least one stator part (12) arranged in a guide rail (2) and at least one carriage (11) slidably held in the guide rail (2), which has running elements (1151, 1152) mounted in the guide rail (2), which can be connected to the associated sliding door (8) by means of mounting devices (7), and which comprises a carriage body (111) and a rotor part (112), which rotor part (112) carries a plurality of individual rotor magnets (1122) facing the stator part (12).According to the invention, the drive (11) is modular in design and its length is adjustable to the dimensions of the associated sliding door (8), the drive body (111) is modular and comprises at least two drive body modules (111A, 111B, 111C), at least one of which is detachable from the drive (11), the runner part (112) is modular and comprises at least two runner modules (112B, 112C), at least one of which is detachable from the drive (11), and the length of one or more of the detachable drive body modules (111B, 111C) corresponds to the length of one or more of the detachable runner modules (112B, 112C). and that connecting means (1116, 1117; 1126, 1127) are provided by means of which the at least one detachable drive body module (111B, 111C) and the at least one detachable runner module (112B, 112C) can be connected to the drive (11).