Sliding Door Escape Direction Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door systems for escape and rescue routes are inflexible, requiring costly conversions or retrofits to change the escape direction, especially in dynamic environments like large public buildings where the escape route may need to be reversed based on specific hazardous situations.

Innovation Solution

A universal sliding door system with a control device that includes a switching mechanism for changing the escape direction, equipped with redundant and self-monitoring sensors and a program switch accessible only to authorized personnel, allowing for easy adaptation to changing risk scenarios without physical modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sliding door system uses a fixed escape direction design, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot adapt to changing escape route requirements in dynamic environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changing escape directionsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the escape direction changeable rather than fixed. The control device includes a switching mechanism that allows the escape direction to be dynamically adjusted between a first direction (through the passage area) and a second direction (opposite direction) based on hazardous situations, transforming a static system into an adaptive one without requiring physical structural changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing the control device to perform multiple functions: it controls the drive device for door operation, monitors sensor signals from multiple directions, and switches between different escape directions. This multi-functional control device eliminates the need for separate systems for different escape scenarios, achieving adaptability without proportional increases in system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If the sliding door system allows rapid complete opening for emergency escape, then the escape speed is maximized, but the control and monitoring requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveescape speedVSAvoidcontrol reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning sensors in multiple detection areas (in front of and behind the sliding door system) and pre-configuring the control device with switching capability. When a hazardous situation is detected, the system can immediately switch to the appropriate escape direction and execute rapid opening without delay for system reconfiguration, thus maintaining high escape speed while ensuring control reliability through advance preparation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor detection areas in front of and behind the sliding door system. These sensors provide real-time information to the control device, which processes the signals and automatically switches the escape direction when hazardous situations are detected. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable control while enabling rapid response, as the system continuously adapts to changing conditions without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1849950B1Sliding door system
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 GEZE GMBH
  • EP1849950B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1849950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The system (1) has a sliding leaf (2) driven by a drive device, which is controlled by an electronic control device. The drive device is arranged such that the sliding leaf is opened after controlling a control device for opening an escape route, when the system is used in the escape route and an emergency route. The control device has a change-over device e.g. program switch (10), for changing a escape direction (11). A sensor (6) e.g. motion detector, cooperates with the program switch for the escape direction.