Sliding Door Fitting Joint Clamping for Track Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door fittings face challenges in achieving stable support and alignment at the joint between profiles, with existing solutions either relying on complex assembly methods or material weakening, and lacking effective compensation for steps during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A sliding door fitting with a profile connection at the joint featuring a support part and a clamping element that can be moved relative to the support part via a clamping mechanism, allowing for alignment and stabilization of profiles by transmitting high forces and minimizing space requirements, with a clamping element that can move between 0.5 mm and 4 mm to compensate for steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a profile connector is used to reinforce two profiles at a joint, then the profiles are supported on the underside of a track, but the flatness of the track in the joint area still depends on assembly precision and steps cannot be fully compensated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile support stabilityVSAvoidtrack flatness at joint
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element is made movable relative to the support part via a tensioning mechanism, allowing dynamic adjustment to compensate for assembly steps and achieve proper track flatness while maintaining reliable profile support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning mechanism changes the position parameter of the clamping element relative to the support part, enabling the clamping element to move vertically and horizontally to compensate for joint irregularities and achieve proper track alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a guide element is added to compensate for steps at the joint, then the roller is guided over the guide track, but the installation becomes complex and material openings cause weakening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint step compensationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element serves multiple functions: it clamps the profiles together, compensates for joint steps, and provides track support, eliminating the need for separate guide elements and reducing overall assembly complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The profile connection combines the clamping function and step compensation function into a single integrated structure, merging the previously separate profile connector and guide element into one component system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Force

If a clamping element is made movable relative to the support part via a tensioning mechanism, then high forces can be transmitted for stabilization, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning mechanism is localized to the connection between the clamping element and support part, providing high clamping force only where needed at the joint area without complicating the entire profile structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Ensures stable support and alignment of profiles at the joint, enabling effective installation and reliable operation of sliding door fittings with a compact structure and tool-free assembly, while maintaining material integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a tensioning element which is movable relative to the support part via a tensioning mechanism and which pre-tensions the two profiles towards the support part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The tensioning element can be moved relative to the support part via the tensioning mechanism to align and level the two profiles in the area of the joint, i.e., to compensate for any step between the two profiles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Displacement: Displacement

Data Source

PatentEP4256159B1Sliding door fitting, and method for installing a sliding door fitting
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 HETTICH HEINZE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4256159B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4256159B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4256159B1 patent drawingFigure 2D

AI summary

A sliding door fitting comprises two profiled elements (3a, 3b) which are connected to each other at an abutment point via a profiled-element connection (15, 50, 60) and which form at least one raceway (32, 33) for rolls or sliding pieces of a movable running part (4); the profiled-element connection (10, 50, 60) includes a support piece (11, 51, 61), which is attached to the profiled elements (3a, 3b), and a clamping element (13, 53, 63), which is movable relative to the support piece (11, 51, 61) via a clamping mechanism and which preloads the two profiled elements (3a, 3b) in the direction of the support piece (11, 51, 61). The invention also relates to a method for installing a sliding door fitting.