Overhead Gate Pretensioning Device for Torque Reversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The door leaf weight compensation device in existing single-leaf overhead doors is unable to compensate for the weight of the door leaf when the center of gravity moves over the point of action of the intervention device, leading to torque reversal near the closed position, which results in increased power requirements for opening and closing.

Innovation Solution

A pretensioning device is introduced that provides additional balancing force specifically near the closed position by acting on the upper area of the door leaf, using a compression spring and a gripping device to maintain the door leaf in a pretensioned state, thereby reducing the overall power requirement and smoothing the force profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only a door leaf weight compensation device is used, then the structure remains simple, but the power requirement increases near the closed position due to torque reversal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpower requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The door system is segmented into two independent balancing devices: a door leaf weight compensation device for the majority of the movement path and a pretensioning device for the critical closed position area. This segmentation allows each device to optimize its function in specific zones, reducing peak power requirements while maintaining overall structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pretensioning device applies preliminary balancing force in the upper area of the door leaf before the door reaches the critical closed position where torque reversal occurs. This preliminary action prevents the torque reversal effect from manifesting, thereby reducing the peak power requirement near the closed position without requiring complete structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Power

If a pretensioning device is added to act on the upper area, then the power requirement and force profile are smoothed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower requirementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pretensioning device applies force locally to the upper area of the door leaf rather than distributing force across the entire door structure. This localized application of balancing force efficiently addresses the torque reversal issue near the closed position while minimizing the complexity increase, as only a specific region of the door requires the additional balancing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 pretensioning device reduces the power needed for door operation, eliminates the need for additional safety features, and extends the service life of the operator by ensuring the door does not close by itself in emergency situations, while maintaining compliance with safety standards.

Implementation Method 1

A pretensioning device is introduced that provides additional balancing force specifically near the closed position by acting on the upper area of the door leaf, using a compression spring and a gripping device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

A door leaf weight compensation device that prestresses the entire door leaf in the opening direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2045425B1Single-leaf overhead gate and pre-tensioning device therefor
Publication Date: 2013.01.02 HORMANN AG AMSHAUSEN
  • EP2045425B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2045425B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2045425B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A movable door panel (12) can tip over between a vertical closing position and a horizontal opening position. A device (20) for balancing the door's weight pretensions the door panel in an opening direction. A guiding device (14) guides the movement of the movable door panel, which has a panel (32) and top (40) and bottom (50) locking devices for grasping the guiding device. The bottom locking device has a lever clearance between a locking point (52) on the guiding device and the panel. An independent claim is also included for a pretensioning device for a single-scarf overhead gateway.