Aluminum Sliding Door Profile Wind Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated sliding doors face challenges in withstanding high wind loads without additional reinforcing structures, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity, and limits the use of narrow vertical supports that could compromise strength and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A vertical profile for automated sliding doors is designed with a unitary body formed from aluminum alloy extrusions, featuring thicker nose and tail walls compared to the front and rear walls, and fillets at intersections, providing enhanced strength without the need for separate reinforcement, allowing for narrower profiles that can withstand high wind loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel reinforcing members are added to the aluminum extrusion frame, then the door can withstand high wind loads, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reinforcement function directly into the aluminum extrusion profile itself, eliminating the need for separate steel reinforcing members. The extrusion is designed with internal structural features including thicker nose and tail walls, and fillets at intersections, that provide the necessary strength to withstand high wind loads while maintaining a unified manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies varying wall thicknesses at different locations of the extrusion profile to optimize strength where needed. Specifically, the nose and tail walls are made thicker than the front and rear walls, and fillets are added at critical intersection points. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary wind resistance without adding unnecessary material or complexity throughout the entire structure.
2Strength
If steel reinforcing members are added to the aluminum extrusion frame, then the door can withstand high wind loads, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reinforcement function directly into the aluminum extrusion profile itself, eliminating the need for separate steel reinforcing members. The extrusion is designed with internal structural features including thicker nose and tail walls, and fillets at intersections, that provide the necessary strength to withstand high wind loads while maintaining a unified manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the extrusion profile, specifically increasing the thickness of the nose and tail walls and adding fillets at intersections. These parameter changes are achieved through the extrusion process itself, allowing the reinforced profile to be manufactured as a single piece from aluminum alloy, thereby reducing material costs and eliminating the need for additional steel components and associated fasteners.
3Shape
If the vertical profile width is reduced for aesthetic purposes, then the visibility and natural light improve, but the strength to withstand wind loads decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies varying wall thicknesses at different locations of the extrusion profile to optimize strength where needed. Specifically, the nose and tail walls are made thicker than the front and rear walls, and fillets are added at critical intersection points. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary wind resistance without increasing the overall profile width, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance and maximizing glass area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for reduced profile width by optimizing the internal dimensional distribution of the extrusion walls. By making the nose and tail walls thicker and adding fillets at intersections, the patent redistributes material in three-dimensional space to achieve the required moment of inertia and section modulus for wind resistance, while keeping the external profile width narrow for aesthetic purposes.
4Shape
If the vertical profile width is reduced for aesthetic purposes, then the visibility and natural light improve, but the manufacturing strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reinforcement function directly into the aluminum extrusion profile itself, eliminating the need for separate steel reinforcing members. The extrusion is designed with internal structural features including thicker nose and tail walls, and fillets at intersections, that provide the necessary strength to withstand high wind loads while maintaining a unified manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies varying wall thicknesses at different locations of the extrusion profile to optimize strength where needed. Specifically, the nose and tail walls are made thicker than the front and rear walls, and fillets are added at critical intersection points. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary wind resistance without increasing the overall profile width, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance and maximizing glass area.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a vertical profile for an automated sliding door. The profile is formed by front and rear walls connected by nose and tail walls. The nose and tail walls are thicker than the front and rear walls to provide enhanced resistance to deflection in the through-door direction. The walls are formed as an aluminum extrusion. The arrangement and thickness of the walls provides strength sufficient to withstand high wind loads without the installation of reinforcing members. Fillets may be provided where the walls are joined to lessen the tendency for the nose and tail walls deflect, further strengthen the profile.