Sliding Door Locking Device Ramp Engagement Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking devices for sliding door systems face challenges in maintaining secure clamping of the belt between the pawl and the housing due to tolerances, leading to potential slipping under tensile force, especially when greasy or worn, and are complex to retrofit and adjust.

Innovation Solution

A locking device with a housing and actuator, featuring a ramp between the pawl and locking slide to deepen engagement, and spring elements for precise positioning, ensuring secure locking with minimal force and easy retrofitting, using a metallic or plastic pawl for low-wear and friction-optimized performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a locking device is integrated into a leaf drive, then locking function is achieved, but retrofitting becomes difficult and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrofitting easeVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently installed on the door leaf without integrating into the existing leaf drive mechanism. This segmentation allows easy retrofitting while maintaining locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A locking bolt serves as an intermediary element that connects the door leaf to the door frame independently of the leaf drive system. This mediator approach enables retrofitting without modifying the existing drive mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a locking bolt is used with a gear on a deflection pulley, then locking is achieved, but control complexity increases and adjustment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex control mechanism involving gears and deflection pulleys is extracted and replaced with a simpler direct-acting locking bolt system. The essential locking function is retained while removing unnecessary mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex gear-based indirect control system, the invention uses a direct linear movement of the locking bolt that can be easily controlled and adjusted. This inverted approach simplifies the control mechanism while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If the locking slide position is subject to tolerances, then manufacturing is easier, but lateral residual air remains and tensile force cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidlocking security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism uses a ramp structure that changes the engagement parameters dynamically. When tensile force is applied, the ramp converts lateral movement into deepening engagement, automatically compensating for initial positioning tolerances and eliminating residual air gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The locking system transitions from a static clamping position to a dynamic engagement process. The ramp allows the locking pawl to move laterally and then engage deeper into the belt when tensile force is applied, adapting to tolerance variations while maintaining secure locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3913176B1Sliding door system and locking device for a sliding door system
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 DORMAKABA DEUT GMBH
  • EP3913176B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3913176B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3913176B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking device (100) for securing a belt (10) of a sliding door system, comprising a housing (11) in which an actuator (12) and a runner (13) are received, wherein the runner (13) is linearly displaceable in the housing (11) by means of the actuator (12), and wherein at least one guide means (14) is arranged on the runner (13), which is guided in a first guide track (15) in the housing (11), and wherein a locking slide (16) is arranged in or on the housing (11), which is movable along a direction of movement towards the belt (10) in a locking position and away from the belt (10) in a release position, for which purpose at least a second guide track (17) is formed in the locking slide (16), in which the guide means (14) is similarly guided, and wherein a locking pawl (18) is received on the locking slide (16).which is designed to engage the belt (10) and is displaceable in the direction of travel of the belt (10) on the locking slide (16). According to the invention, at least one ramp (19a, 19b) is formed in the receptacle between the pawl (18) and the locking slide (16), by means of which an additional closing travel beyond the locking position of the pawl (18) can be generated when a tensile force in a locking direction (SR) is exerted on the belt (10).