Pneumatic Door Closer with Hermetic Chamber for Temperature-Independent Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door closers are significantly affected by temperature variations, leading to inconsistent closing speeds and increased maintenance costs due to oil viscosity changes, which can result in security flaws and oil spills.
Innovation Solution
A door closer system featuring a gas adjusting apparatus with a hermetic chamber and regulating valve, combined with a driving apparatus using a cam and spring mechanism, allows for temperature-independent closing speed adjustment, ensuring consistent performance and reducing maintenance costs by using air instead of oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If oil is used to control closing speed, then the door closer can provide smooth closing action, but the closing speed becomes highly sensitive to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic oil control with pneumatic air control. A piston moves within a cylinder, compressing air in a sealed chamber. The air pressure builds up to counterbalance the spring force, controlling the door closing speed. Since air compression is less sensitive to temperature than oil viscosity, the closing speed remains stable across temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter being controlled from oil viscosity (temperature-dependent) to air compression pressure (temperature-independent). By using a regulating valve to control air exhaust rate, the system maintains consistent closing speed regardless of temperature, as air compression modulus remains relatively constant across temperature ranges.
2Ease of operation
If oil is used in the door closer, then the closing action can be controlled, but maintenance cost increases and oil spills may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic oil with compressed air. The pneumatic system uses a cylinder-piston mechanism where air is compressed and stored in a sealed chamber. The air pressure controls the piston movement and door closing speed. This eliminates oil-related spills, contamination, and maintenance issues while maintaining effective speed control through air exhaust regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air, which is freely available and requires no special containment or disposal procedures compared to oil. The pneumatic system eliminates the need for oil reservoirs, filters, and disposal systems, reducing maintenance costs and environmental hazards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If oil viscosity changes with temperature, then the door closer adapts to temperature, but the closing time becomes unacceptably long at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from using temperature-dependent oil viscosity to temperature-independent air compression. The air in the sealed chamber compresses and expands with minimal viscosity changes across temperature ranges. A regulating valve controls the air exhaust rate to maintain consistent closing speed, preventing the door from taking excessively long to close in cold conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic air compression system where the piston moves within the cylinder, continuously compressing and expanding air. The regulating valve dynamically adjusts air exhaust to maintain optimal closing speed across varying temperatures, unlike static oil-based systems that become too viscous in cold weather.
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 system maintains a constant closing speed regardless of temperature changes, reduces maintenance costs, and eliminates the risk of oil spills, providing reliable and secure door closure.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic component in the receiving chamber, for storing resilience
Implementation Method 2
a hermetic chamber is formed by the sliding member and the sliding rail... the air in the hermetic chamber is then compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A door closer capable of adjusting its closing speed, including a gas adjusting apparatus arranged on the door frame, a driving apparatus arranged on the door, and a lever is provided. One end of the lever is movably connected to the gas adjusting apparatus, and the other end is connected to the driving apparatus. The gas adjusting apparatus includes a sliding rail arranged on the door frame, and a sliding member cooperated with the sliding rail; a hermetic chamber is formed by the sliding member and the sliding rail, an adjusting member, for adjusting the exhaust of the hermetic chamber, is configured on a side wall of the hermetic chamber. The lever is movably configured on the sliding member.