Pivotable Slide Door Assembly for Emergency Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding door assemblies in Intensive Care Units and similar settings lack a flexible breakaway mechanism that allows both door panels to pivot freely for wider openings during emergencies, which is often required by building codes but not adequately addressed in existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A slideable and pivotable door assembly that includes a normally fixed door panel and a slideable door panel, with integrated pivot structures allowing both panels to pivot independently or together, enabling a utility breakout configuration for wider openings while maintaining a standard breakout option.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both door panels are allowed to pivot independently for wider openings during emergencies, then the adaptability and emergency egress capability are improved, but the device complexity and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into two independently pivotable door panels, each with its own pivot structure. This segmentation allows each panel to be controlled separately, enabling flexible emergency egress configurations where one or both panels can be opened independently to create wider passages when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Each door panel is designed with dual functionality: it can operate as a sliding door during normal conditions and as a pivotable door during emergencies. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating both sliding and pivoting mechanisms into each panel, allowing the same structure to serve different operational requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the sliding door panel can pivot at any position during sliding movement, then the ease of operation and emergency response are improved, but the reliability and risk of accidental breakaway deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot structure is designed with dynamic engagement characteristics that allow pivoting at any position during sliding movement. The mechanism transitions from a static locked state during normal operation to a dynamic state where pivoting is permitted, enabling emergency responders to initiate breakout at any point in the door's sliding position rather than requiring complete opening first.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sliding and pivoting functions. It mediates the transition by providing controlled release points that prevent accidental activation while allowing intentional breakout, serving as a buffer between the conflicting requirements of operational stability and emergency flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual pivot axes are provided for each door panel, then the adaptability for different breakout scenarios is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is divided into separate modular units, each with its own integrated pivot mechanism. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual door panels that can be produced independently and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining the adaptability of having independent pivot axes for each panel.
Data Source
AI summary
A slideable and pivotable door assembly configured to selectively permit passage through an opening between a first side and a second side of the opening. The slideable and pivotable door assembly has a normally fixed door panel arranged to cover a first portion of the opening when in a normally closed fixed position. The door assembly also includes a slideable door panel slidable relative to the fixed door panel. The slideable door panel is slidable between a 1) closed position wherein the door panel covers a second portion of the opening and 2) an open position wherein the second portion of the opening is uncovered. A first pivot structure enables pivotal movement of the normally fixed door panel upon a pivoting actuation and a second pivot structure enables pivotal movement of the slideable door panel at any position relative to the normally fixed door panel while the normally fixed door panel remains in its normally fixed position.