Sliding Door With Actuator-Driven Flanges For Sound Attenuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional swinging doors require space for opening and closing, which can be inefficient in terms of space utilization, and existing sliding doors do not effectively address the need for space-saving solutions with enhanced security and sound attenuation.

Innovation Solution

A sliding door system with opposing surfaces and an actuator that moves the surfaces toward each other for opening and away from each other for closing, allowing the door to slide into a wall cavity, featuring flanges for sound attenuation and security, and optionally powered by an electric or mechanical mechanism with a user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional swinging doors are used, then the door can be opened and closed, but floor space is consumed for door movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor spaceVSAvoiddoor operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door system transitions from horizontal swinging motion (2D floor plane) to vertical sliding motion within a wall cavity (3D space utilization). The door slides up and down within the wall opening rather than swinging across the floor, eliminating the need for floor clearance while maintaining operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The door is nested within the wall cavity structure, with the door assembly fitting inside the vertical space of the wall opening. The upper and lower door portions are positioned within the wall cavity when closed, utilizing the wall's vertical dimension for door storage rather than requiring external floor space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the door slides into a wall cavity, then space is saved, but the door structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor spaceVSAvoiddoor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door is divided into an upper door portion and a lower door portion that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the door to slide vertically within the wall cavity while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the mechanism compared to a single rigid door assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall cavity structure serves multiple functions: it provides the guiding track for door movement, contains the door in the closed position, and integrates the door mechanism within the building structure itself. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate external mechanisms and simplifies the overall system.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If flanges are added for sound attenuation, then sound isolation improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound transmissionVSAvoiddoor manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flanges are integrated directly into the door portions as inherent structural elements rather than being separate attachments. The upper door portion includes an upper flange and the lower door portion includes a lower flange that engage with corresponding wall flanges, combining sound attenuation functionality with the door structure itself to simplify manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The door portions and flanges can be constructed using composite materials or multi-layer structures that provide both structural strength and sound attenuation properties. The flanges engage with wall flanges to create a sealed interface that blocks sound transmission while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If the door surfaces are moved apart during closing, then security is enhanced, but the actuator mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor securityVSAvoidactuator mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door security mechanism is made dynamic through the actuator that actively moves the door surfaces between closed and open positions. The actuator responds to access control signals to dynamically adjust door security, allowing the door to transition between secured and accessible states rather than remaining statically closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical operation of traditional doors is replaced with an automated actuator system that can be controlled electronically through access control mechanisms. This substitution allows for enhanced security features such as remote operation, access logging, and integration with building management systems while simplifying the user interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2876241B1Sliding door
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 INVENTIO AG
  • EP2876241B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2876241B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2876241B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

A sliding door or "pocket door" includes two opposing door surfaces. An actuator is coupled to both surfaces. When the door is installed and in a closed position, the two door surfaces sit at least partially in a wall cavity or "pocket". During an opening motion of the door, the door surfaces slide out of the wall cavity, and the actuator moves the surfaces away from each other. During a closing motion of the door, the actuator moves the surfaces toward each other, and the surfaces slide into the wall cavity.