Sliding Door Coupling Head Ramp Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door systems face challenges in easy mounting and dismounting of running rails, requiring significant effort and often necessitating dismantling of room walls for repairs, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A sliding door system with a rail device featuring coupling devices that include a coupling head with a ramp, allowing for easy detachment and alignment of the running rail from the mounting rail without exact alignment requirements, facilitated by a ramp that prevents the coupling plate from sliding further and supports decoupling, enabling quick maintenance and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the running rail is firmly anchored to the mounting rail using conventional coupling devices, then the connection strength and stability are improved, but the ease of disassembly and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the coupling element can be rotated between a locked position (engaging the locking groove for firm connection) and an unlocked position (releasing for easy disassembly). This dynamic transformation allows the same device to provide both strong anchoring and simple maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is divided into separate functional elements: a coupling element with a rotation axis, a locking groove, and a ramp. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve both strong connection and easy disassembly through the rotation mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If the running rail is installed with exact alignment requirements, then the precision of the connection is improved, but the ease of installation and adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp structure automatically guides the coupling element during insertion and rotation. As the coupling element rotates into the locked position, the ramp self-aligns the components, eliminating the need for precise pre-alignment by the installer. The system performs its own alignment function through the mechanical interaction of the ramp and coupling element.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transforms the alignment parameter from a critical installation requirement to a non-critical parameter. Through the rotation motion and ramp guidance, the system accepts a range of initial positions and converges to the correct aligned position automatically, changing the sensitivity of the alignment requirement.
3Device complexity
If the coupling device uses a simple insertion mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The simple rotation motion transforms a potentially complex multi-step fastening process into a single dynamic action. The coupling element rotates along the ramp to engage the locking groove, creating a reliable mechanical lock through motion rather than through complex static fastening mechanisms, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
4Ease of repair
If the running rail is made detachable for maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the stability and firmness of the installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic controllable connection. The locking mechanism provides stable anchoring when engaged, while allowing easy detachment when the coupling element is rotated to the unlocked position. This dynamic nature enables the system to provide both maintenance accessibility and installation stability as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp structure is designed to guide and control the disengagement process, preventing sudden or unstable separation. As the coupling element rotates to unlock, the ramp gradually reduces the engagement force, ensuring a controlled and stable transition from locked to unlocked state, thereby maintaining stability during the maintenance operation.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to a sliding-door system comprising a rail device (10A; 10B). The rail device comprises a mounting rail (2A, 2B) that can be mounted in a building, a travel rail (1A, 1B), in which at least two travel units (63) connected to a sliding door (6) are slidably mounted, and a plurality of coupling devices (3A; 3B, 4A; 4B), by means of which the travel rail (1A, 1B) and the mounting rail (2A, 2B) are detachably connected to each other and which each comprise a coupling head (3A, 3B), which is connected to the travel rail (1B) or to the mounting rail (2A) and has a coupling plate (32) and a coupling neck (31) and can be anchored in a coupling opening (4A; 4B), which is provided in the mounting rail (2B) or the travel rail (1A) and comprises a first opening part (41), the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the coupling plate (32), and a second opening part (42), which adjoins the first opening part and the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the coupling neck (31) but smaller than the diameter of the coupling plate (32). According to the invention, a ramp (52) is provided at least on one side of the coupling head (3A, 3B), which ramp rises toward the coupling neck (31) and away from the coupling plate (32).