Sliding Door Locking Device Integrated with Limiting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support systems for sliding doors, particularly sliding glass doors, face challenges in maintaining a compact installation space while ensuring stable door guidance and aesthetically integrating a lock mechanism, as conventional solutions require additional space for the lock and limiting device, making them unsuitable for ceiling recesses or adjacent walls.

Innovation Solution

A support system with a compact locking device that forms a structural unit with the limiting device, utilizing a locking bar with automatic restoring force and an electromagnet-driven bolt, allowing for a small installation space and ensuring the bolt automatically unlocks in case of power failure, enabling stable door guidance close to the lateral edge with minimal protrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional lock device is arranged on the side edge of the door leaf, then the door can be locked securely, but the installation space in the longitudinal direction of the running rail increases and the lock is visible through the glass door

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoidinstallation space in longitudinal direction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is merged with the limiting device to form an integrated structural unit. The lock housing and limiting device housing are combined into a single compact structure that is mounted on the running rail, eliminating the need for separate side-edge lock installation and reducing the longitudinal space requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock device is repositioned from the side edge of the door leaf to the running rail in the longitudinal direction. By mounting the integrated locking and limiting device structure on the running rail, the space utilization shifts to a different dimensional arrangement that reduces protrusion beyond the door leaf.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If the running gear is arranged close to the lateral edge of the door leaf for stable guidance, then door guidance stability improves, but the installation space required for the locking device and limiting device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor guidance stabilityVSAvoidinstallation space in longitudinal direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device and limiting device are merged into a single integrated structural unit with shared housing and mounting structure. This consolidation reduces the total longitudinal space required while maintaining the functional requirements for both door guidance stability and secure locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated structural unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: the limiting device provides door guidance stability, the locking device provides secure locking, and the shared housing and mounting structure reduce overall space requirements. This multi-functional design allows the running gear to be positioned optimally for stability without compromising locking functionality.

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

3Reliability

If a bolt is actuated against automatic restoring force into a locking position, then secure locking is achieved, but the space required for the drive device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoidspace for drive device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bolt is equipped with an automatic restoring force mechanism that automatically returns the bolt to the unlocking position when the drive force is removed. This self-restoring feature eliminates the need for complex reverse actuation mechanisms, reducing the space required for the drive device while maintaining secure locking capability when actuated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism utilizes a bolt with automatic restoring force that changes its position based on the presence or absence of actuation force. The bolt can be actuated against the restoring force into a locking position for secure locking, and automatically returns to the unlocking position when the force is removed, providing a space-efficient drive device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the running rail protrudes laterally beyond the door leaf when closed, then the locking device has sufficient space for operation, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and ceiling recess installation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking device operation spaceVSAvoidaesthetic appearance and installation compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device and limiting device are merged into a single integrated structural unit that is mounted on the running rail. This integration allows the entire assembly to be positioned within the longitudinal space of the running rail without requiring lateral protrusion beyond the door leaf, maintaining aesthetic appearance and enabling ceiling recess installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is repositioned from lateral protrusion beyond the door leaf to mounting on the running rail in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional repositioning provides sufficient operation space for the locking mechanism while maintaining a clean aesthetic appearance and compatibility with ceiling recess installations.

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

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 allows for a compact design that maintains stable door guidance while keeping the running gear close to the door's edge, ensuring secure locking and automatic unlocking in case of power failure, thus addressing space constraints and aesthetic concerns.

Implementation Method 1

an automatic restoring force moves the locking bar into an unlocking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAutomatic restoring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The locking bar is actuatable via a drive device against the automatic restoring force into a locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3296493B1Support system for a sliding door
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 GEBR WILLACH
  • EP3296493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3296493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3296493B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a support system (1) for a sliding door (100) comprising a track (3), at least one carriage (9) for guiding a door leaf (105) of the sliding door (100), a limiting device (15) for the carriage (9) that limits the travel path of the door leaf (105), and a locking device (23) by which the door leaf (105) can be locked in an end position. The locking device (23) has a bolt assembly (25) and an engagement element (27), and the bolt assembly (25) interacts with the engagement element (27) to lock the door, the engagement element (27) being arranged on the carriage (9). The bolt assembly (25) forms a single unit with the limiting device (15). The bolt assembly (25) has a bolt (29), and an automatic return force moves the bolt (29) into an unlocked position.The bolt (29) can be actuated into a locking position via a drive device (35) against the automatic return force.