Sectional Gate Automatic Escape Door Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sectional door mechanisms require manual operation for locking and unlocking the escape door, making them susceptible to failure when used by inexperienced individuals.
Innovation Solution
The escape door is automatically locked and unlocked by controlling the distance between side guide tracks, using a mechanism where guide rollers sense the vertical position of the gate armor to unlock or latch the door, and a push rod transfers this movement to the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used for locking and unlocking the escape door, then the mechanism is simple to operate, but it is prone to malfunction when used by inexperienced persons
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically detects the vertical position of the gate panel through guide rollers and autonomously engages or releases the locking element without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the gate's position to control the locking state, eliminating the need for human operation and preventing malfunction from incorrect usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated mechanical detection and actuation system. Guide rollers detect the gate position, and this mechanical information triggers automatic actuation of the locking mechanism through a push rod, substituting human manual control with an automated mechanical sensing and actuation system.
2Extent of automation
If the guide rails are bent towards each other at lower ends to enable automatic detection, then the locking can be automatically controlled, but the guide rollers may be jammed due to limited flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rollers are designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing them to deflect inwards when encountering the bent section of the guide rails. This dynamic flexibility enables the rollers to navigate the curved path without jamming, while still maintaining contact to detect the gate's vertical position for automatic locking control.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails incorporate a bent or curved section at the lower ends, creating a specific geometric path that the guide rollers must follow. This curvature is designed to be navigable by the flexible rollers, allowing automatic position detection while preventing jamming through proper geometric design.
3Measurement precision
If the control roller is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accurately follow the path of the lateral guide rail during gate movement
Solution Approach 1:
The control roller is mounted on a movable bearing that can shift horizontally within the plane of the gate section. This dynamic mounting allows the roller to automatically follow the curved path of the lateral guide rail, maintaining accurate contact for position detection without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism for the control roller is separated into independent components, with the bearing able to move independently within the gate section plane. This segmentation allows the roller to follow the guide rail path while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and maintainable.
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 solution ensures the escape door can be operated without human intervention, preventing mechanical damage from incorrect usage and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
the control and/or guide roller, which is arranged to be displaceable or pivotable in the horizontal direction relative to the door panel, is pressed outwards against the guide track by at least one spring element
Implementation Method 2
a mechanism where guide rollers sense the vertical position of the gate armor to unlock or latch the door
Implementation Method 3
a push rod transfers this movement to the locking mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sectional door with a curtain (2) consisting of several transversely extending door sections (4) that are articulated to one another and can be moved upwards along two lateral guide tracks by means of guide rollers, and with an escape door (5) that also consists of several sections which can be connected and locked to the adjacent door sections (4) for opening the curtain (2) and which can be unlocked and released from them at least on one side for opening the escape door (5); according to the invention, the locking and unlocking of the escape door (5) with the adjacent door sections (4) of the curtain (2) is automatic, controlled by the distance between two lateral guide tracks.