Sliding Door Locking Mechanism for Secure Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door systems fail to ensure secure holding of door elements when pivoted out of the frame, as the brake is not fully engaged at the moment of swinging, and the brake lining wears out over time, leading to potential jamming and loss of effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A sliding door system with a releasable locking arrangement featuring an unlockable blocking element that forms a form-fit interaction with a counterpart, preventing horizontal displacement while allowing pivoting out of the plane, utilizing a spring-loaded bolt or ball for secure engagement and automatic latching in the open position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded brake lining is used to engage with a brake disc, then the door can be held in the open position, but the brake lining wears out and loses effectiveness over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wear-prone brake lining from the system and replaces it with a form-fit locking mechanism consisting of a blocking element and counterpart. This mechanical interlocking system eliminates continuous friction contact, thereby removing the wear issue while maintaining the holding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the friction-based brake system with a mechanical form-fit locking system. Instead of relying on friction between brake lining and disc, the system uses geometric interlocking between the blocking element and counterpart to provide wear-free holding.
2Reliability
If the brake is engaged before the door is fully pivoted out, then the door can be held, but the door begins to swing out while the brake is not fully closed, causing the door to jam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by having the blocking element automatically engage with the counterpart as the door approaches the open position. This pre-engagement occurs before full pivoting is complete, ensuring the door is securely held without requiring premature brake activation, thereby preventing jamming while maintaining smooth operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is self-activating through the door's own movement. As the door pivots into the open position, the blocking element automatically engages with the counterpart without requiring external brake activation, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the timing coordination problem between brake engagement and door position.
3Area of stationary object
If the door element is allowed to pivot out of the plane of the frame, then the opening width is maximized, but the door element may tilt during pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the blocking element and counterpart as intermediary components that mediate between the door element and the frame during pivoting. These elements provide a controlled pivot axis and constrain lateral movement, allowing the door to achieve maximum opening width while preventing unwanted tilting through the form-fit interaction.
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 safe holding of door elements without tilting during pivoting, maintains secure engagement throughout the door's operation, and prevents wear-related issues by ensuring proper alignment and engagement of the locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a spring-loaded bolt or ball for secure engagement and automatic latching in the open position
Data Source
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AI summary
The door system has a detachable locking arrangement at a region of an upper side of a door element (2) e.g. glass door, and a frame (1). The locking arrangement comprises an unlockable locking element e.g. bolt (21) and ball. The locking element cooperates with corresponding counter pieces i.e. openings (11-13), when the door element is horizontally shifted into an opening position. The locking element forms a form-fit connection and blocks horizontally shifting of the door element in the frame, so that the door element is pivoted from a frame plane.