Roll-Up Door Snubber for Cable Drum Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roll-up door systems with pivoted hinges and counterbalance mechanisms face issues with the stop mechanism becoming loose or deformed, allowing the bottom door panel to move past its desired position, potentially interfering with door operation and causing damage to the cable drum.
Innovation Solution
An improved roll-up door assembly featuring a snubber device made of elastomeric material, such as nylon, that surrounds the cable and engages the counterbalance mechanism when the door is raised, providing cushioning and preventing damage to the cable drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid stop mechanism is used to prevent the bottom door panel from moving past the desired position, then the door position control is improved, but the stop mechanism becomes loose or deformed with use, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the stop mechanism from rigid metal to elastomeric material. This elastomeric stop maintains the door at the correct position while accommodating wear and deformation through its elastic properties, preventing the loosening and deformation issues that plague rigid stop mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastomeric stop that functions as a flexible element rather than a rigid structure. This flexible stop can deform elastically to maintain contact and positioning function even after repeated use, unlike rigid stops that become loose or deformed.
2Area of stationary object
If the header vertical dimension is reduced to increase access opening size, then the cargo access capability is improved, but the track portions must still accommodate smooth door movement, increasing design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pivoted hinge with a movable second plate portion that can pivot relative to the first plate portion. This dynamic hinge mechanism allows the lowermost door panel to be concealed behind the reduced-dimension header while the roller remains in the track arcuate portion, accommodating the compact header design without compromising door movement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the lowermost door panel behind the header by using a pivoted hinge mechanism that allows the panel to fold back and conceal itself within the header space, maximizing the access opening while maintaining complete door coverage capability.
3Area of stationary object
If a pivoted hinge is used to conceal the lowermost door panel behind the header, then the access opening size is improved, but the stop mechanism may interfere with subsequent door lowering attempts, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the stop mechanism from rigid to elastomeric material, allowing it to deform and accommodate the door panel movement during lowering operations. The elastomeric stop can compress and yield when the door is being lowered, preventing interference while still maintaining position control when the door is raised.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric stop acts as an intermediary element between the door panel and the header structure. Its compliant nature allows it to mediate the interaction, providing positioning when needed while yielding to prevent interference during door lowering operations.
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 snubber effectively cushions contact with the counterbalance mechanism, ensuring smooth operation and preventing damage to the cable drum by maintaining the door's position and stability during its raised and lowered cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a snubber (26) surrounding the cable and adapted to engage the counterbalance mechanism when the bottom door panel is moved toward the counterbalance mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An improved roll-up door assembly (10) is configured to be coupled to a storage container, such as a truck trailer (11), and broadly comprises: a roll-up door including a plurality of door panels (12A-12G), of which adjacent panels are hingedly coupled to one another; a hinge (29) having an first hinge plate (30) coupled directly to a bottom panel (12A) of the door, having a second hinge plate (31), and having a hinge joint (32) pivotally coupling the first and second hinge plates to one another for enabling relative movement therebetween; a bottom roller (33) coupled to the second hinge plate for movement therewith about the joint; a counterbalance mechanism mounted on the storage container; a cable (22) connecting the counterbalance mechanism to the bottom door panel; and a snubber (26) surrounding the cable and adapted to engage the counterbalance mechanism when the bottom door panel is moved toward the counterbalance mechanism.