Rotatable Lever Safety Catch for Sliding Door Rail

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door fittings lack an effective anti-detachment device that prevents the door from being lifted out safely and ensures simple actuation, with existing solutions experiencing material fatigue and design limitations.

Innovation Solution

A rotatably mounted lever with an actuating section and a hook section that securely engages under the rail, providing visual and acoustic feedback, and an adjustable mechanism for compact design and stable functionality, using a plastic part with integral latching means for secure and unlocked positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bendable lever made of sheet metal is used to prevent detachment, then the safety device can engage under the rail, but after repeated use the lever can no longer be arranged below the rail and the hook part bends over at higher forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety device functionalityVSAvoidlever service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lever is designed as a rotatable component that can pivot between a secured position (engaging under the rail) and an unlocking position. This dynamic design allows the lever to return to its original position after each use, preventing material fatigue and ensuring long-term reliability without permanent deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lever's position parameter is changed from a fixed bendable configuration to a rotatable configuration with defined angular positions. This parameter change from bending to rotating motion eliminates cumulative deformation and extends the service life of the safety device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a rotatable lever is used instead of a bendable lever, then material fatigue is prevented and functionality is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety catch functionalityVSAvoidlever mounting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing element combines multiple functions: it supports the lever's rotation, provides the rotation axis, and includes integrated latching means (protrusions and receptacles) for securing the lever in position. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing element serves as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides rotational support, positioning, and latching capabilities. This universal design approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate parts, maintaining reliability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the lever is designed as a plastic part with integral latching means, then manufacturing is simplified and stability is improved, but the strength may be reduced compared to metal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelever productionVSAvoidlever structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The lever is designed as a plastic part with integral latching means, utilizing plastic material properties to achieve both manufacturing simplicity and adequate structural strength. The integral latching means are formed as part of the plastic molding process, eliminating separate metal fasteners and simplifying production while maintaining sufficient strength for the safety application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2710209B1Carrier for a sliding door
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 HETTICH HEINZE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2710209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2710209B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2710209B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to a fitting for a sliding door (3, 4), in particular for furniture, comprising at least one roller (8) that is rotatably mounted on a holder (15)and is supported on a rail (9), and a mounting element (6) to which a sliding door (3, 4) can be secured. According to the invention, a safety catch is provided on the holder (15) in order to secure the roller and prevent it from lifting away from the rail (9), wherein the safety catch comprises a rotatably mounted lever (10, 10', 10") having an actuating section (23) and a hook section (11), which, in a securing position, engages under a head section (12) of the rail (9). In this way, it is ensured that the fitting is reliably secured whilst the structure remains compact.