Sectional Door Walkway Locking for Inclined Panel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sectional doors with walkways are prone to unintentional opening due to the force of gravity acting on the small pedestrian door when the panels are inclined, as they are not supported by horizontal hinging.
Innovation Solution
A sectional door with a pedestrian door that includes locking means and automatic movement means to lock and unlock the openable portions based on the position of the main door, preventing unintentional opening when the panels are inclined.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the panels are released from each other (not hinged or connected), then the door structure becomes more independent and flexible in movement, but the pedestrian door is not supported by horizontal hinging causing unintentional opening when panels are inclined
Solution Approach 1:
A support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the pedestrian door and the main door panels. This support element extends along the hinge axis of the pedestrian door and connects to the panels, providing gravitational support without constraining the independent movement of the panels during main door operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element functions as a counterbalancing mechanism that opposes the gravitational force acting on the pedestrian door when panels are inclined. By providing an opposing force along the hinge axis, it prevents unintentional opening while maintaining panel independence.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pedestrian door is made from reduced portions of sectional door panels, then the walkway is integrated into the door structure, but the reduced portions are not supported by horizontal hinging when panels are inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The support element serves as a mediator between the integrated pedestrian door structure and the main door panels. It provides the necessary gravitational support to the reduced portions without interfering with their integrated design or the independent movement capability of the panels.
3Reliability
If locking means and automatic movement means are added to prevent unintentional opening, then the pedestrian door stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the panels. When panels are inclined, the support element automatically provides gravitational support; when panels are vertical, it automatically disengages. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional locking means or automatic movement means, maintaining simplicity while ensuring stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A sectional door with walkway comprises a supporting structure; a main door comprising one plurality of panels constrained to the supporting structure in a movable manner between a closure position and an opening position; a pedestrian door, defined by one openable portion of each of the panels, the openable portion being hinged to a base portion of the respective panel; a locking device/structure/component/apparatus/unit or the like, positioned between the base portion and the openable portion of each of the panels; and an automatic movement device/structure/component/apparatus/unit or the like, operatively connected to the locking device/structure/component/apparatus/unit and configured to automatically move the locking device/structure/component/apparatus/unit in a release configuration, when the main door is in the closure position, and in a locking configuration, when the main door is not in the closure position.