Sectional Door Bottom Profile Insulation for Heat and Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Overhead sectional doors experience high energy loss through the threshold, leading to condensation or ice formation due to heat transfer, and are prone to bending under wind and weight loads due to integrated pedestrian door leaves, which compromise structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

The sectional door system incorporates a bottom profile with insulating strips made of low heat conductivity material and stabilizing portions to reduce heat transfer and wind-induced bending, featuring a sunken threshold and flaps for enhanced sealing and load distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the bottom profile is made from conductive material for structural strength, then the door can bear wind and weight loads, but heat transfer occurs causing condensation or ice formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidheat transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom profile is constructed as a composite structure with a first profile element (structural component) and a second profile element (insulating component). The insulating component is inserted into a groove of the structural component, creating a composite profile that combines mechanical strength with thermal insulation properties, thereby preventing heat transfer while maintaining load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If a pedestrian door leaf is integrated into the overhead door, then access for pedestrians is facilitated, but the door panels cannot take up load and may bend under wind and weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepedestrian accessVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The door system is segmented into the overhead sectional door leaf and a separate integrated pedestrian door leaf. The pedestrian door is mounted on hinges within the overhead door structure, allowing independent operation. This segmentation enables pedestrian access without compromising the structural integrity of the main overhead door panels, as the pedestrian door is designed as a separate functional unit with its own support mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the threshold is positioned at the bottom profile level, then the door structure is simplified, but heat transfer through the threshold increases energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidenergy loss through threshold
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The threshold area incorporates an insulating component made of thermally insulating material integrated into the bottom profile structure. This composite threshold design maintains structural simplicity while significantly reducing heat transfer through the threshold, thereby minimizing energy loss without complicating the overall door structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively mitigates heat transfer and structural bending, reducing energy loss and ensuring stable operation of the door system while maintaining thermal comfort and structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The bottom profile comprises an insulating arrangement. The insulating arrangement comprises at least one strip in a low heat conductivity material extending along the bottom profile.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4136304B1Entrance system
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYST AB
  • EP4136304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4136304B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3b
  • EP4136304B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Present invention relates to a sectional door system comprising a sectional door leaf (1) having a plurality of horizontal sections (11, 12, 13, 14) movable between a vertical closed position and a horizontal, opened or overhead position within a guiding track system, whereby the sectional door leaf (1) has an inner and outer door surface forming vertical planes when said sectional door leaf (1) is in the vertical closed position. The sectional door leaf comprises a bottom profile (230) with an insulating arrangement (280).