Sectional Door Frame with Composite Insulating Webs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sectional door frames need to balance weight reduction with maintaining sufficient longitudinal shear strength and thermal insulation, especially as opening widths increase, while avoiding the use of adhesives for assembly and ensuring water-tightness.

Innovation Solution

The use of shell elements with end fastening sections for composite moldings made from polymers, specifically polyamides with glass fiber reinforcement, to form a frame design that is statically determined and thermally insulated, combined with a torsionally rigid mounting strip design that uses cantilevered extensions and clamping legs for secure and watertight assembly of plate-shaped insert elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If aluminum profile elements are spaced apart by insulating webs to reduce weight and improve thermal insulation, then weight and thermal insulation are improved, but longitudinal shear strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of frame constructionVSAvoidlongitudinal shear strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating web is constructed as a composite structure combining a first insulating material (such as polyamide) with reinforcing elements (glass fibers, steel wires, or additional insulating material layers). This composite approach maintains the thermal insulation properties of the insulating material while the reinforcing elements provide the necessary longitudinal shear strength to withstand mechanical loads between the aluminum profile elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If adhesive-free assembly is used to simplify manufacturing and improve ease of assembly, then ease of manufacture and ease of operation are improved, but reliability of water-tightness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidwater-tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the mounting strip and the plate-shaped insert element. This sealing element (such as a rubber or plastic profile) fills the gap and prevents water penetration, ensuring water-tightness without requiring adhesives. The sealing element can be mechanically retained or spring-loaded to maintain continuous contact and sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If replaceable plate-shaped insert elements are used to improve adaptability and ease of repair, then adaptability and ease of repair are improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplaceability of insert elementsVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting strip incorporates integrated retaining features such as clamping legs, spring elements, or snap-fit mechanisms that automatically secure the plate-shaped insert element in place without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly procedures. The spring-loaded contact elements provide continuous pressure to hold the insert element securely while allowing for tool-free installation and removal, reducing the perceived complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach achieves significant weight reduction, enhanced strength and rigidity, and improved thermal insulation, while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without adhesives, ensuring a secure and watertight seal.

Implementation Method 1

the frame construction consists of aluminum profile elements which are spaced apart by insulating webs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

At least one spring-loaded contact element which acts against the surface of the insert element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4283086B1Frame construction as a panel element for a sectional door leaf
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 ALPHA DEUREN INT
  • EP4283086B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4283086B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4283086B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a frame assembly as a panel element for a sectional door leaf, which is guided in lateral guides in a positionally repositionable manner. The frame assembly consists in cross-section of horizontal and vertical aluminum profile elements which are screwed together, wherein the aluminum profile elements are spaced apart on the inside by insulating webs, wherein the insulating webs are connected to the aluminum profile elements in a force-fit and form-fit manner, and wherein the frame assembly is filled with replaceable, plate-shaped insert elements (45) which are held by mounting strips (27). The aluminum profile elements consist of shell elements (1, 6, 48) which have fastening sections (13) on their inner sides for force-fit and form-fit fastening to composite molded parts (2, 5, 7, 44) which consist of a polyamide, preferably with at least one additive, are connected via clamping sections (3).such that the frame formation in cross-section forms an inner cavity, without chambers or the like, and that the frame formations have on their upper side the composite formwork body (7) with a convex shape extending beyond the lateral shell elements (1, 6, 48) and on their lower side with convex composite formwork bodies (44) or (47) pointing towards the cavity.