Sliding Door Frame Rigidity via Timber Beam Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door support frames, particularly those with extendable stud sections, lose rigidity when extended, making it difficult to fix fibreboard at extremities, and do not provide adequate support for the door and wall strength.
Innovation Solution
A frame comprising extruded profile columns and supports with channels, where the columns are vertically oriented and made of non-ferrous metal for safety, and include a beam for increased rigidity, allowing easy cutting and attachment of plasterboard, and features like grooves for secure fastening and sealing to prevent door rattle and draughts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If extendable stud sections are used to span the wall cavity space, then the frame can accommodate the wall opening, but the hollow studs lose rigidity when extended and cannot support fibreboard fixation at extremities
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple discrete components: extruded profile supports positioned at wall extremities and solid timber beams positioned vertically within the wall cavity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the extruded supports provide stable anchoring points while the solid timber beams provide rigid spanning elements that maintain stiffness across the wall opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame combines different materials with complementary properties: non-ferrous metal extruded profiles (providing corrosion resistance and structural stability at connection points) and solid timber beams (providing high rigidity-to-weight ratio for spanning). This composite construction resolves the contradiction by using material A for stability and material B for rigidity in their respective optimal locations.
2Strength
If the frame provides adequate wall strength and support, then it can bear the door and maintain wall integrity, but it becomes more complex to assemble and attach wall panels
Solution Approach 1:
The extruded profile supports are pre-formed with integrated fixing features (channels, recesses, or attachment points) that accommodate the timber beams and facilitate wall panel fixation. This preliminary preparation of connection details simplifies on-site assembly while maintaining structural integrity, as components can be quickly connected without complex field modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The extruded profile supports serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural anchoring to the wall, support the timber beams, enable wall panel fixation, and accommodate the sliding door mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies assembly while maintaining adequate wall strength.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-ferrous metal is used for the extruded profiles, then grinding and cutting operations are safer with reduced sparking, but the material selection and fabrication become more specific
Solution Approach 1:
The material specification changes from ferrous to non-ferrous metal, fundamentally altering the physical and chemical properties of the extruded profiles. This parameter change eliminates sparking during grinding and cutting operations, addressing the safety concern. The extrusion process itself is adapted to work with non-ferrous metals, maintaining fabrication flexibility through standardized manufacturing techniques for aluminum or other non-ferrous alloys.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention provides a frame (10) for a sliding door which sits within a pocket, wherein the frame comprises of rigid vertical posts (20), which have channels (24) which contain a beam (22) for strengthening of the posts and allowing the fastening of plasterboard or other such wall panels to the vertical posts (20).