Movable Throttle Section Adaptive Gap Door Closer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Narrow throttle gaps in door closers' hydraulic systems are prone to blockage by contaminants and temperature-induced viscosity changes, affecting functionality and safety.

Innovation Solution

A movable throttle section that adjusts its position relative to the channel wall under the influence of the flowing hydraulic medium, creating an adaptive gap to accommodate impurities and maintain flow, while minimizing changes in the flow cross-section size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the throttle gap is made narrow to achieve precise flow control, then the closing speed control precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to clogging by impurities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing speed control precisionVSAvoidfunctional reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle section is made movable relative to the channel wall, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to flow conditions and impurities. This dynamic adjustment prevents clogging by enabling the throttle section to shift away from blocking positions when impurities accumulate, while maintaining precise flow control when the system is clean.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of throttle gap width from a fixed value to a variable value that can adjust based on operating conditions. The throttle section's position can be modified to change the gap width, allowing the system to adapt to varying flow rates and impurity levels, thus maintaining both precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the throttle gap is made narrow to reduce hydraulic medium flow, then the opening damping is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to temperature-induced viscosity changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening dampingVSAvoidfunctional reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable throttle section allows the system to dynamically compensate for temperature-induced viscosity changes. When temperature changes affect the hydraulic medium's viscosity, the throttle section can adjust its position to maintain consistent flow characteristics, ensuring reliable opening damping across varying temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a fixed throttle section is used to simplify the device structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to blockage by impurities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structure complexityVSAvoidfunctional reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces minimal complexity by making the throttle section movable rather than fixed. This simple mechanical modification allows the throttle section to shift position in response to impurities, preventing blockages without requiring complex control systems or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable throttle section serves itself by automatically adjusting its position in response to flow conditions and impurity accumulation. The system self-regulates to prevent clogging without requiring external control mechanisms, maintaining reliability while adding minimal complexity.

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

This solution ensures reliable operation by preventing blockages and maintaining consistent hydraulic function despite contamination and temperature fluctuations, ensuring safe and secure door closure.

Implementation Method 1

the movable throttle section can change its position under the influence of the flow, particularly under the influence of impurities contained in the flowing hydraulic medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow-induced force: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP3757328B1Door closer
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 GEZE GMBH
  • EP3757328B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3757328B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5
  • EP3757328B1 patent drawingFigure 6a~6b

AI summary

The invention relates to a door closer with a closing body and in the closing body a hydraulic system for at least one hydraulic function, in particular for adjusting the opening damping, closing speed and/or closing delay, wherein the hydraulic system comprises at least one channel for a hydraulic medium and at least one throttle valve, which has a throttle section located in the flow path of the hydraulic medium through the channel, which forms a gap with the channel wall determining the size of the flow cross-section, and wherein the throttle section is arranged to be movable relative to the channel wall in such a way that the throttle section positions itself relative to the channel wall under the influence of the flow.