Modular Rail System with Accessible Braking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding door systems face challenges in installation due to obstructions and require inaccessible adjustments, especially when multiple doors are installed side by side, as the rail system needs to be adapted to various wall configurations and obstructions, and the mechanisms for slowing down or determining extreme positions become inaccessible for later adjustments or repairs.
Innovation Solution
A modular rail system with recesses for spacer elements that can be easily inserted to adapt to different wall configurations and obstructions, combined with a repositionable braking/stopping element that can be accessed for adjustments, allowing for flexible installation and maintenance, featuring an open lateral side for easier access and a braking/stopping element with adjustable fixing elements for user accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rail system is fixed to accommodate specific wall configurations and obstructions, then the installation adapts to the specific circumstances, but the system becomes difficult to adapt to different installation scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system is divided into modular components including the rail profile, spacer elements, and braking/stopping elements that can be independently selected and combined. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different wall configurations and obstructions without requiring a completely different design for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail system incorporates adjustable and repositionable elements, particularly the braking/stopping element with its releasable fixing mechanism, allowing the system to be dynamically adjusted during installation and maintenance. This dynamic capability enables adaptation to various installation scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple base design.
2Ease of operation
If the rail system is installed in narrow gaps between wall parts, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the braking/stopping mechanisms become inaccessible for adjustments or repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element acts as an intermediary mechanism that allows access to the braking/stopping element through the rail profile. The fixing element can be released to provide access to adjustment tools, enabling maintenance while the door remains installed in narrow gaps, thus resolving the conflict between aesthetic appearance and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking/stopping element is nested within the rail profile structure, with the fixing element providing a access point through the rail. This nesting allows the system to maintain a compact appearance in narrow gaps while still providing access to adjustment mechanisms through the fixing element interface.
3Productivity
If multiple sliding doors are installed side by side with precise spacing, then the door operation is optimized, but the installation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer elements serve multiple functions: they define the distance between adjacent rails, accommodate obstructions, and provide a standardized interface for installing multiple doors. This multi-functionality allows precise spacing for optimized door operation while reducing installation complexity through a universal spacing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer elements are pre-fabricated with specific dimensions to define the required distance between rails. This preliminary preparation of spacing components eliminates the need for complex measurements and adjustments during installation, reducing installation time while maintaining precise door operation spacing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a modular rail system for suspending sliding doors, comprising at least one rail profile comprising a top side arranged for being fixed against a horizontal wall part, a bottom side having a rail portion for carrying suspension wheels of a sliding door, a first lateral side arranged for being fixed against a vertical wall part, and an open second lateral side. On both opposite lateral sides the rail profile comprises recesses having substantially the same shape for engaging complementary spacer elements. The invention further relates to a sliding door system comprising a rail system, at least one sliding door with suspension wheels and at least one repositionable braking/stopping element comprising a stop for defining an extreme position of the sliding door and a releasable fixing element for fixing the braking/stopping element in the rail system. The fixing element is spaced a predetermined distance from the stop, chosen for maintaining user accessibility to the fixing element while the stop is located in a user inaccessible position.