Ramp Transmission Element for Revolving Door Seal Trigger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic floor seal mechanisms for revolving doors with the axis of rotation through the door leaf experience shearing forces and jamming issues due to the trigger design, which is not suitable for maintenance-free operation over numerous cycles.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a transmission element acting as a release aid to redirect forces, eliminating shearing forces and enabling a more uniform seal activation, with a ramp-like design and resilient materials like spring steel for the transmission element, allowing for adjustable positioning and reduced wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a trigger mechanism is used for automatic floor seal activation in revolving doors with pivot axis through the door leaf, then the seal can be activated automatically, but shear forces cause the trigger to jam and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic seal activationVSAvoidtrigger operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger mechanism is divided into two separate components: a trigger element that activates the seal and a transmission element that redirects forces. This segmentation isolates the trigger element from shear forces by having the transmission element absorb and redirect them, preventing jamming while maintaining automatic activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission element acts as an intermediary between the door frame contact point and the trigger element. It receives the closing force from the door frame, redirects it through its inclined surface, and transmits only the necessary activation force to the trigger element, eliminating direct shear force exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the trigger strikes the frame edge at an angle during closing, then activation can occur, but shear forces increase causing jamming and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal activationVSAvoidshear forces on trigger
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined surface of the transmission element converts the harmful shear forces generated by angled contact into a beneficial mechanical advantage. The angle of the inclined surface is designed to redirect the closing force into a component that effectively activates the trigger while the perpendicular shear component is absorbed by the transmission element's structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission element serves as a force mediator that decouples the directional closing force from the trigger activation requirement. It transforms the angled impact force into a unidirectional activation force on the trigger, eliminating the harmful shear components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the seal activates at the very last moment of closing, then the mechanism is simple, but the lowering is not uniform and may be perceived as disadvantageous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoiduniform seal lowering
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission element's inclined surface begins activating the trigger earlier in the closing process rather than waiting for the final moment. As the door approaches the closed position, the transmission element gradually engages the trigger through its ramp-like surface, initiating seal lowering before complete closure and achieving more uniform descent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution ensures reliable, maintenance-free operation of the automatic floor seal by eliminating shearing forces and providing a broader design flexibility, ensuring effective sealing and reduced wear, even with high cycle counts.

Implementation Method 1

the transmission element is made of an elastic material, which is in particular selected from metals, preferably steel, plastics, fiber-reinforced plastics, or combinations thereof, most preferably spring steel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the ramp-like design of the transmission element results in a more uniform lowering of the seal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce redirection via inclined sliding surface: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP3293343B1Trigger aid for a seal of a hinged door
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 HOLZBAU SCHMID GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3293343B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3293343B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3293343B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sealing device (10), in particular for a revolving door with a pivot axis (21) extending through the door leaf (11), comprising a sealing housing (12), a sealing strip (13) and a mechanism for displacing the sealing strip (13) relative to the sealing housing (12), wherein the mechanism comprises a release element (14) which, when acted upon by an external force, displaces the sealing strip (13) relative to the sealing housing (12), wherein the sealing device (10) is characterized in that a transmission element (16) is associated with the release element (14), which partially or completely covers the release element (14) in its release direction and forms a ramp-shaped approach surface, and transmits the externally acting force to the release element (14).The invention further relates to a revolving door with such a sealing device and an arrangement consisting of such a revolving door and a door frame.