Reversible Sliding Door Mounting Hardware for Handedness Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in office space configuration is the need for flexible and efficient door systems that can adapt to changing handedness requirements during installation and reconfiguration of modular wall systems, often resulting in incorrect door purchases and delayed projects due to the fixed handedness of sliding doors.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable sliding door system with a horizontally symmetrical door frame and reversible mounting hardware, allowing the door to be easily adapted for different handedness configurations by reorienting the door frame and mounting hardware, enabling the same door to be used in various orientations and locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If sliding doors are manufactured with fixed handedness configurations, then manufacturing precision and quality control are improved, but adaptability to different installation requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor handedness configuration precisionVSAvoiddoor handedness adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by making the mounting hardware reversible rather than fixing the door itself. The mounting hardware can be installed in mirrored configurations, allowing the same door to function in both left-handed and right-handed applications. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing precision for standardized doors while achieving adaptability through reversible installation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting hardware is designed with universal functionality to work with doors of any handedness. By creating mounting hardware that can be configured for both left and right-handed installations, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring multiple door variants, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple door types are manufactured to satisfy different handedness requirements, then adaptability to installation requirements is improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor handedness coverageVSAvoiddoor type variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting hardware is designed as a universal component that can accommodate both left-handed and right-handed door configurations. This single universal mounting hardware design eliminates the need for multiple specialized door types, reducing device complexity and inventory requirements while maintaining full adaptability to different handedness requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple door types into a single door design by combining all necessary mounting hardware configurations into one universal set. This consolidation reduces the number of door variants needed in inventory while maintaining the ability to satisfy any handedness requirement through proper hardware configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If doors are customized for specific handedness requirements, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity and installation speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor operation correctnessVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting hardware is pre-designed with reversible configuration capabilities, allowing installers to quickly adapt to different handedness requirements without time-consuming customizations. The preliminary design of universal mounting hardware enables fast installation while ensuring correct door operation for any handedness configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting hardware system is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between left-handed and right-handed configurations. This dynamic adaptability allows installers to quickly switch between different door handedness requirements using the same hardware, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving installation speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8904712B2Method of reversing hand configurations of sliding doors

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

AI summary

A sliding door with reversible hand configurations can include a plurality of mounting locations along a top and a bottom edge thereof. The plurality of mounting locations can be configured to allow the sliding door to selectively hang and operate according to multiple orientations in order to satisfy site-specific handedness requirements. In one implementation, the sliding door includes a door frame and mounting hardware for selectively mounting the sliding door to a roller track affixed near the upper portion of a doorway.