Bidirectional Damping Mechanism for Sliding Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping devices for furniture and sliding door systems are limited in their application scope, as they primarily function at end positions, failing to effectively dampen movements in both directions and are often aesthetically unappealing when integrated into sliding door systems.
Innovation Solution
A damping device with a coupling mechanism that releases in both directions, allowing for movement away from each other, featuring a mechanical clutch with a slide that reaches a release position through form-fitting or angular changes, and utilizing pneumatic or linear dampers, with optional elastic elements like springs to reset the coupling, ensuring damping primarily during initial and return movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a damping device is used at end positions to prevent excessive movement, then noise and vibration are reduced, but the device cannot dampen movements in both directions and limits application flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the damping device at end positions as in conventional solutions, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the damping device at a middle position of the total movement distance. The coupling mechanism is designed to release in both directions from this middle position, enabling the device to dampen movements in both directions while maintaining application flexibility for multi-part sliding door systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a damping device is positioned at a middle position to enable bidirectional movement, then application versatility is improved, but the device must effectively dampen movements over a significant portion of the total movement distance
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates a slide that can dynamically change its state between engaged and released positions. The slide reaches a release position through form-fitting or angular changes, allowing the damping device to be dynamically engaged or disengaged based on the direction and phase of movement, thereby managing the duration of damping action effectively.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical clutch with slide is used to enable bidirectional release, then movement freedom in both directions is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide acts as an intermediary element between the two parts of the device. It provides a simplified interface that enables bidirectional release through form-fitting or angular changes, reducing the overall complexity of the clutch mechanism while maintaining ease of operation and movement freedom in both directions.
4Ease of operation
If elastic elements like springs are added to reset the coupling, then the coupling can return to initial position, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic elements such as springs are introduced as counterweight mechanisms to automatically reset the coupling to its initial position after bidirectional movement. This eliminates the need for manual resetting and ensures the damping device is ready for the next movement cycle, improving ease of operation while the modular spring design keeps manufacturing complexity manageable.
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
Enables new applications such as multi-part sliding door systems, where the damping device is not used at end positions, providing effective damping for a significant portion of the movement distance while maintaining a slim design that integrates seamlessly with existing rail systems, enhancing user safety and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling for establishing and releasing a frictional connection between a first of the device parts and one end of the damper
Implementation Method 2
utilizing pneumatic or linear dampers
Implementation Method 3
optional elastic elements like springs to reset the coupling
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device has levers (1a, 1b) for producing and releasing non-positive connections between a moved device part e.g. sliding door, and an end of a pneumatic linear damper (3a). Another end of the damper is coupled with another moved device part e.g. rail, such that the damper damps a relative movement between the device parts in a closed condition of the levers. The device parts are movable to each other in two opposite directions. The levers release the device parts in both directions during relative movements. The levers have a slide valve (5) that is movable along a sliding path (6).