Powered Door Operator with Integrated Motor and Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current powered door systems face challenges with installation and use due to complex configurations and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A door operator system that includes a drive motor, drive tube, side plates, drive cogs, locking gear, and a locking lever, which allows for secure and efficient operation of powered doors by enabling translation between open and closed positions and allowing manual operation when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor is positioned at a distance from the shaft and coupled via gear, belt, or chain, then the motor can be selectively operated to rotate the shaft, but the system becomes complex and problematic for installation and use
Solution Approach 1:
The motor housing is directly coupled to the drive tube, merging the motor positioning function with the drive mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate gears, belts, or chains to transmit power from the motor to the shaft, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the intermediate transmission components (gears, belts, chains) from the system by directly coupling the motor to the drive tube. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the overall system structure and reduces installation complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the motor housing is secured to the drive tube to prevent rotation, then the drive tube can be selectively rotated via the motor, but the system requires a locking mechanism to allow manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to dynamically switch between locked and unlocked states. The locking gear engages with the drive tube to prevent rotation during motorized operation, and can be disengaged to allow manual rotation. This dynamic behavior provides adaptability for both motorized and manual operation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is integrated into the existing drive tube and motor housing structure, using the same components (locking gear, locking plate, locking lever) to serve dual purposes of securing the motor housing and enabling manual operation when needed.
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 provides a secure and efficient means to operate powered doors, simplifying installation and use by integrating a motorized drive mechanism with a locking system that allows for manual operation, thus addressing the inefficiencies of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor having a motor housing and a drive shaft selectively rotatable via electric power
Implementation Method 2
a spring-loaded roller interconnected to the door
Data Source
AI summary
A door operator including a drive motor having a motor housing and a drive shaft selectively rotatable via electric power, a drive tube for receiving therein the drive motor, wherein the motor housing is secured to the drive tube to prevent rotation therebetween. The door operator further including a first side plate and second side plate with the drive tube rotatably supported therebetween, at least one drive cog secured to the drive tube, wherein the drive cog is engageable with a door to provide translation of the door. The door operator further including a locking gear secured to the drive shaft, a locking plate slidingly coupled to the first side plate, including a gear engagement portion, and a locking lever secured to the locking plate and operational to selectively disengage the gear engagement portion of the locking plate, allowing the locking gear to be rotatable with the motor housing.