Self-Closing Door Damper with Toggle Claw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft lavatory doors often remain slightly open, protruding into narrow aisles and lacking a self-closing feature, which poses a need for a door damper with a self-closing function.
Innovation Solution
A door damper assembly comprising a housing, a damper with a fixed and movable end, a carriage assembly, a claw assembly pivotably attached to the carriage, and a spring that biases the assembly to the closed position, allowing the claw to toggle and release the door pin during opening while damping the closing motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a door damper is installed to control closing speed, then the door closing motion is damped, but the door cannot automatically close itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a damper mechanism and a self-closing mechanism into a single integrated door damper assembly. The damper controls closing speed while the spring-loaded carriage assembly provides automatic closing, merging two separate functions into one unified device that resolves the contradiction between speed control and self-closing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The door damper assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it dampens the door closing motion to prevent slamming, provides automatic self-closing through the spring mechanism, and includes a reset feature for reliability. This multi-functional design allows the single device to address both the speed control requirement and the automation requirement
2Ease of operation
If the claw assembly toggles to release the pin during opening, then the door can open smoothly, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The claw assembly is designed to dynamically change its configuration during operation. It transitions from a non-toggle position during normal operation to a toggle position when the door reaches full opening, allowing the pin to be released. This dynamic behavior provides smooth opening without requiring a permanently complex mechanism, as the complexity is only activated when needed
3Extent of automation
If the spring biases the carriage to closed position, then self-closing is achieved, but the door may slam without damping
Solution Approach 1:
The damper mechanism is positioned to act on the door during its closing motion, providing cushioning before the door reaches the closed position. This beforehand cushioning prevents slamming by controlling the closing speed, while the spring provides the force needed for self-closing, resolving the contradiction between automatic closing and preventing harmful slamming
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 ensures the door automatically closes and dampens the motion, preventing it from slamming and maintaining aisle space by utilizing a spring-loaded mechanism that resets if the pin is not properly received, ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned to bias the carriage assembly to the closed position
Implementation Method 2
a damper that includes a fixed end and a movable end disposed within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A door damper assembly that includes a housing, a damper that includes a fixed end and a movable end disposed within the housing, a carriage assembly that is movable within the housing between a closed position and an open position, a claw assembly pivotably attached to the carriage assembly, and a spring positioned to bias the carriage assembly to the closed position. The movable end of the damper is secured to the carriage assembly. The claw assembly is movable with the carriage assembly between the closed position and the open position. The claw assembly is movable relative to the carriage assembly between a non-toggle position and a toggle position. The claw assembly includes a pin receiving space defined therein that defines a claw axis that is generally vertical when the claw is in the non-toggle position and not vertical when the claw assembly is in the toggle position.