Sliding Door Guide Device Bent Wire Connecting Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide devices for sliding doors require a large number of components and are complex to assemble, making them difficult to install and adjust to varying installation widths.
Innovation Solution
A guide device comprising a guiding element, a holder, and a connecting element made of a bent wire that allows for flexible adjustment and assembly, with the wire sections able to pivot and be fixed at different positions to simplify installation and prevent damage during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lever mechanism with guide roller is used, then tolerances can be compensated and easy assembly is possible, but the device requires a large number of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide element and connecting element into a single integrated component made of resilient material. This merging eliminates the need for separate lever mechanisms, guide rollers, and multiple fastening components while maintaining the tolerance compensation and ease of assembly functions. The single piece design directly reduces the number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient connecting element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a guide, a spring-loaded connector, a tolerance compensator, and a damage-prevention element. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized components in traditional lever mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
2Strength
If rigid connecting elements are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but damage can occur during assembly and adjustment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a resilient material that allows the connecting element to change its physical parameters (flexibility, bending) during assembly and operation. This enables the element to be flexible during installation for easy adjustment while maintaining structural integrity during normal use. The material property change allows both adaptability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic resilient component that can bend and flex during assembly then maintain its shape during operation. This dynamic behavior allows the element to adapt to different installation conditions while preserving structural integrity, preventing damage during assembly.
3Device complexity
If fixed-distance connectors are used, then assembly is simplified, but adaptation to different installation widths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient connecting element can dynamically adjust its length and orientation to accommodate different installation widths. During assembly, it can be bent to the required length, then maintains that configuration. This dynamic adaptability allows a single design to work with various installation widths while keeping the assembly process simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the physical parameters of the connecting element (length, orientation) to be changed during assembly by bending the resilient material. This parameter adjustment capability enables adaptation to different installation widths without requiring multiple fixed-distance connector variants, simplifying the overall device design.
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 solution enables easy assembly and adjustment of the guide device with fewer components, allowing for flexible adaptation to different installation widths and preventing damage during installation, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing the risk of plastic deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting element can adjust the distance between the guide element and the holder by elastically bending the wire, with the bending largely taking place in the elastic range
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a guide device for a sliding door (3, 4), comprising a guide element (23, 43, 50, 50', 60) which can be moved along a rail (6, 6'), a holder (10, 30) which can be placed on a sliding door (3, 4), and a connecting element (20, 40) for connecting the holder (10, 30) to the guide element (23, 43, 50, 50', 60). Said connecting element (20, 40) comprises a flexible wire. As a result the guide device can produced in a simple manner and can be adapted to the installation situation.