Oil-Free Access Member Closer With Energy-Harvesting Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door closers often rely on oil, which poses fire safety risks, have reliability issues due to temperature changes and wear, and are bulky, while existing mechanisms for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy are complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A compact, cost-effective arrangement for closing a rotatable access member that integrates a mechanical force device to store and release energy, an electromagnetic generator to generate electricity, and a control system for precise movement control, all housed within a slim tubular design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional door closers use hydraulic cylinders with oil for damping, then damping force is provided, but fire safety is compromised and leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic fluid (oil) from the damping system entirely, replacing it with a dry friction-based damping mechanism. The damping force is generated through friction between damping surfaces and a spring mechanism, eliminating fire hazards and leakage issues while maintaining the necessary damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic damping system with a purely mechanical friction-based damping system. The damping force is generated through controlled friction between solid surfaces and spring deformation, substituting fluid-based mechanics with solid-based mechanics to eliminate fire safety concerns.
2Reliability
If conventional door closers use hydraulic cylinders, then damping is achieved, but the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the damping function, spring mechanism, and housing into a single integrated assembly. The damping surfaces, spring elements, and structural components are merged into a compact unit that serves multiple functions simultaneously, reducing overall device volume while maintaining damping performance.
3Force
If conventional door closers are designed with spring and hydraulic cylinder, then closing force is provided, but reliability decreases due to temperature changes and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, robust friction-based damping surfaces and spring elements that are resistant to temperature variations and wear. These components are designed to be durable and maintenance-free, replacing complex hydraulic systems that are sensitive to environmental conditions and prone to degradation.
4Force
If conventional door closers use spring and hydraulic cylinder, then closing force is generated, but the device becomes complex with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the closing force generation and damping functions into a single unified mechanism. The spring element and friction-based damping components are combined in one assembly, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic cylinders and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both closing force and damping capabilities.
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
The solution provides a reliable, efficient, and compact door closer that eliminates the need for oil, reduces component count, and enables smart functionality with integrated energy harvesting and precise movement control, enhancing safety and reducing installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic generator arranged to be driven by the closing movement to generate electric energy
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical force device configured to store mechanical energy from an opening movement of the access member part from the closed position to the open position, and configured to release the stored mechanical energy to a closing movement of the access member part from the open position to the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for closing an access member rotatable relative to a frame, the arrangement comprising a frame part for fixation to the frame; an access member part for fixation to the access member, the access member part being rotatable relative to the frame part about a hinge axis between a closed position and an open position; a mechanical force device configured to store mechanical energy from an opening movement of the access member part from the closed position to the open position, and configured to release the stored mechanical energy to a closing movement of the access member part from the open position to the closed position; an electromagnetic generator arranged to be driven by the closing movement to generate electric energy; and a freewheel arranged to disengage during the opening movement and to engage during the closing movement to drive the generator.