Overhead Bi-fold Door Hinge and Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead bi-fold doors face challenges in providing an effective biasing mechanism to urge the door panels outward for folding and in ensuring a reliable, automatic latching mechanism to prevent unauthorized opening.
Innovation Solution
The use of an extendable hinge mechanism with angled panel ends and a simple latching system, where the lower panel moves vertically relative to the upper panel, allowing the door to fold outward with minimal force and automatically engage a latching mechanism when closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If complex mechanical linkage or wedge is used as biasing mechanism, then the door panels can be urged outwardly for folding, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism automatically provides the outward biasing force through its own geometry. The angled configuration of the hinge arms creates a mechanical advantage that converts the vertical lifting force into outward force on the door panels, eliminating the need for separate biasing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism transitions from a static connection to a dynamic one that automatically adjusts its geometry during door operation. The hinge arms rotate and change their relative positions, maintaining the outward biasing force throughout the opening sequence without requiring external control
2Reliability
If automatic latching mechanism is implemented, then unauthorized opening is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism automatically engages and disengages through the natural movement of the door panels during closing and opening operations. The geometry of the latch arm and strike plate ensures automatic engagement when the door is closed, without requiring motors, sensors, or control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The latching function is separated into simple geometric features on the door panel and frame that work together through relative movement. The latch arm on one panel interacts with a corresponding feature on the adjacent panel or frame, creating a simple yet effective automatic latching system
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead door with improved biasing means and automatic locking means includes two panels which are substantially horizontal when the door is raised and vertically aligned when the door is closed. An expandable hinge at the interface of the door panels allows the lower panel to move vertically when the door is in the lowered position with the upper end of the lower door panel is spaced from the lower end of the upper door panel. Either the lower end of the upper panel is tapered downwardly toward its outer edge, or the upper end of the lower panel is tapered upwardly toward its outer edge so that the outer edges of the panel ends contact first, biasing the interface of the panels outwardly, when the door is raised. The door also includes a latch that is engaged upon lowering the lower panel relative to the upper panel.