Modular Revolving Door Assembly with Concealed Drive Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing revolving door designs face challenges with increased height due to drive unit placement, aesthetic disturbances, especially in glass-facade buildings, and require extensive installation and customization, leading to longer delivery times and installation complexities.

Innovation Solution

A modular revolving door assembly with a pre-assembled driving base unit that includes the drive unit, allowing the driven column to extend above it, facilitating easy adaptation and installation without the need for additional support or floor modifications, and enabling a compact, aesthetically appealing design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the drive unit is located above the door panels, then the drive unit is accessible for installation, but the height of the revolving door is increased and cover sheets are required which disturb the aesthetic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation accessibilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is nested within the central column of the revolving door, specifically positioned in the lower portion of the central column. This nesting approach allows the drive unit to be housed within the existing structural envelope without protruding outward, thereby maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the door while still providing accessible installation through the bottom opening of the central column.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Shape

If the drive unit is located in a pit in the floor, then the aesthetic appearance is maintained, but extensive modification and rebuilding of the floor is required which is not always possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is extracted from the floor pit configuration and repositioned within the central column structure. This extraction eliminates the need for extensive floor modification while maintaining the aesthetic appearance, as the drive unit is now housed within the vertical profile of the central column rather than requiring horizontal floor excavation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the drive unit is located in a central body, then the drive unit is integrated, but the construction becomes bulky requiring a large central body and large revolving door width

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration levelVSAvoidcentral body volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is positioned in a specific local region of the central column (the lower portion) rather than distributing it throughout the entire central body. This localized positioning allows the drive unit to be integrated into the existing central column structure without requiring an increased overall volume, thereby maintaining a compact design while providing necessary integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If the drive unit is located in a central body, then the drive unit is integrated, but the passage capacity is decreased when the total width is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration levelVSAvoidpassage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is positioned in the vertical dimension within the central column rather than occupying horizontal space in the central body. This dimensional relocation allows the drive unit to be integrated vertically within the existing width envelope, preserving the horizontal passage capacity while achieving the necessary integration of the drive mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

5Adaptability or versatility

If the revolving door is customized for each installation, then the door fits specific requirements, but delivery times are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization levelVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The revolving door is segmented into modular components including a standardized central column with integrated drive unit, separate door panels, and adaptable cover sheets. This segmentation allows the central column with drive unit to be manufactured as a standardized module that can be quickly assembled with different door panel configurations, thereby reducing delivery times while maintaining customization capabilities for specific installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3129570B1Modular revolving door assembly
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYST AB
  • EP3129570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3129570B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3129570B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A modular revolving door assembly (1) for installation in an opening, comprising a central column (2) and at least one door panel (3) connected to the central column (2) and rotatably arranged. The central column (2) comprises a driven column (4) and a driving base unit (5). The driving base unit (5) comprises a drive unit (6), and is arranged to be mounted to the bottom of the opening in level with or above a surrounding floor. The driven column (4) is mounted to the driving base unit (5). The driving base unit (5) is arranged to drive the driven column (4) to rotate the driven column (4) and the door panel (3). The driven column (4) extends above the driving base unit (5). Method for installing a modular revolving door assembly. A revolving door assembly (1) comprising a drive unit (6) enclosed within the central column (2).