Rail-Mounted Door Panels on Single Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track-mounted doors require multiple dedicated tracks for each door panel, leading to high costs, complexity in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, as well as bulkiness and aesthetic challenges.
Innovation Solution
A rail-mounted door system using a single rail with multiple door hanger assemblies, where each hanger has an upper and lower portion with offset configurations to allow multiple door panels to roll freely without interference, supported by wheels that engage the rail for stable and non-interfering movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple dedicated tracks are used for each door panel, then each panel can move independently, but the system becomes expensive, complex to manufacture and install, and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple door panels onto a single shared rail system, where each panel has its own hanger assembly with wheels that roll on the common rail. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated tracks for each panel, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent panel movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rail serves as a universal support structure for multiple door panels, replacing the need for multiple specialized tracks. The rail is designed to accommodate multiple hanger assemblies simultaneously, providing a multi-functional solution that supports independent operation of each panel while sharing common infrastructure.
2Reliability
If multiple dedicated tracks are used for each door panel, then panel movement is stable, but manufacturing, installation, and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple panel support functions into a single rail structure, the system reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and installed. The single rail with multiple hanger assemblies is simpler to fabricate and install compared to multiple separate track systems, while maintaining stable panel movement through the shared rail infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If multiple door panels are mounted on a single rail, then costs and complexity are reduced, but panels may interfere with each other's movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves panel interference by utilizing the vertical dimension through offset portions in the hanger assemblies. Panels are positioned at different vertical levels relative to the rail, with some panels having hangers that extend above the rail and others below, creating clearances in the horizontal plane that prevent interference while maintaining operation on the single rail.
4Ease of operation
If offset portions are added to hanger assemblies, then lateral spacing between panels is achieved, but hanger structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The offset portions create asymmetric hanger assemblies where the attachment point to the door panel is laterally displaced from the wheel attachment point. This asymmetric configuration provides the necessary lateral spacing between adjacent panels while maintaining a relatively simple hanger structure that can be manufactured as a single component or simple assembly.
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
Enables multiple door panels to be mounted on a single rail with sufficient clearance, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining operational efficiency and aesthetic appeal by allowing smooth, interference-free rolling motion.
Implementation Method 1
at least one wheel configured to engage the rail and roll thereon in order to facilitate movement of the door panel(s)
Implementation Method 2
wheels configured to engage the rail and roll thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A rail-mounted door system includes at least two door panels, a rail comprising means for attachment to a rail support, and at least four hanger assemblies. Each hanger assembly includes an upper portion provided with means for rotatable attachment to the at least one wheel, a lower portion provided with means for attachment to one of the at least two door panels, and at least one wheel adapted for positive, rotating engagement of the rail. The at least two door panels are supported by respective sets of at least two door hanger assemblies offset from each other in respective slide planes that permit substantially free and unimpeded movement of the least two door panels along a single track. In some cases, the upper portion of each door hanger in at least some door hanger assemblies is attached to the lower portion by an offset portion.