Sliding Door Fitting With Spring-Loaded Lifting Plunger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door systems are difficult to assemble and require manual effort or auxiliary devices for height adjustment, and the height adjustment mechanism is often dependent on the mass of the sliding door, limiting its versatility.

Innovation Solution

A sliding door system with a door fitting that includes a stop mechanism and a tension spring-loaded lifting ram, allowing for independent height adjustment relative to the door profile, enabling easy assembly and operation across varying door masses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a height adjustment mechanism is used that is dependent on the door mass, then the adjustment can be achieved, but the versatility and ease of operation are reduced due to manual effort requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of height adjustmentVSAvoidversatility across varying door masses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spring-loaded lifting plunger that acts as a counterweight mechanism to balance the door mass. The spring force is calibrated to compensate for the gravitational force on the door, allowing the fitting to be positioned at different heights without requiring manual effort to overcome the door weight. This enables easy height adjustment while maintaining versatility across different door masses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting plunger is designed to be adjustable relative to the housing, transitioning between a rest position and an operating position. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the fitting height to be modified easily while the spring continuously adapts to balance the door mass, providing both ease of operation and versatility for different door weights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a door fitting with lifting plunger is used, then height adjustment is possible, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires auxiliary devices for installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of door fitting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the roller and lifting plunger into a single integrated door fitting assembly with a unified housing. The lifting plunger is directly mounted on the housing and integrates with the roller mechanism, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary adjustment devices during installation. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining full height adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the lifting plunger is positioned close to the roller, then space is saved, but the mechanism becomes sensitive to tilting and leaving the wedge track during adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace within door fittingVSAvoidstability of lifting plunger during adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the lifting plunger to move along a wedge-shaped guide track that maintains a constant angular relationship with the horizontal plane. This wedge geometry creates an equipotential condition where the plunger remains stable throughout its adjustment range, preventing tilting and ensuring it stays within the track. The spring force is directed along the wedge axis, maintaining equilibrium positions at all heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 system allows for effortless assembly and height adjustment of the sliding door, ensuring smooth operation regardless of the door's mass, with precise control and minimal lateral play, facilitating easy installation and use in various applications.

Implementation Method 1

a return mechanism designed as a tension spring (23) is attached to the housing (31) and the lifting plunger (61), which biases the lifting plunger towards its rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension spring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a roller (41) mounted in a housing (31)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3070242B1Sliding door with door fitting which is independent of the door mass
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 ZIMMER GUNTHER
  • EP3070242B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3070242B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3070242B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliding door with a first profile element oriented longitudinally along the sliding door and a second profile element arranged perpendicular to the first profile element and attached to it. A door fitting is seated in a receiving recess of at least the first profile element. This fitting comprises a roller mounted in a housing and a lifting plunger adjustable relative to the housing from a rest position to an operating position. The door fitting has a stop spaced apart from the roller. In the rest position, the lifting plunger is at its minimum distance from the roller. The sliding door also includes a tension-loaded adjusting element that loads the lifting plunger against a return mechanism. The present invention provides a sliding door that is easy to install and features a height-adjustable door fitting that is largely independent of the mass of the sliding door.