Sliding Door Rail Connector With Spring-Tolerant Guide Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail arrangements for sliding door fittings face challenges in exact positioning during assembly due to fixed tolerances, leading to mechanical stress and complicated assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A rail arrangement with a connector featuring additional raceways bridging the gap between rail sections, equipped with an elastic spring element to adjust for mounting tolerances, and a guide to ensure precise alignment and prevent gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rail sections are fixed with certain tolerance during assembly, then assembly is simplified, but exact positioning of the connecting element becomes difficult and assembly is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with a flexible spring element that allows dynamic adjustment of the distance between additional raceways. This enables the connector to adapt to tolerance variations in rail sections during assembly, achieving both easy assembly and precise positioning simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element allows the distance parameter between additional raceways to be adjusted within a range (0.5-5 mm). By changing this parameter, the connector can compensate for tolerance variations and achieve exact positioning without complicating the assembly process.
2Ease of operation
If rail sections are mounted with slight step, then assembly tolerance is accommodated, but high mechanical stress occurs on the connecting element
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element acts as a cushioning element that absorbs mechanical stress before it reaches the rigid connecting parts. By pre-positioning this compliant element in the connector design, the system can accommodate stepped mounting without transmitting high stresses to the connecting element.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element functions as a flexible component that can deform to accommodate misalignment between rail sections. This flexibility allows the connector to bridge gaps and absorb stress from stepped mounting while maintaining structural integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional raceways are rigidly connected to rail sections, then structural stability is improved, but mounting tolerances and rail section tolerances cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The connector combines rigid additional raceways with a flexible spring element, creating a hybrid structure. The rigid raceways provide structural stability for guiding rollers, while the flexible spring element provides adaptability to compensate for mounting and manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary between the rigid additional raceways and the rail sections. It mediates the connection by absorbing tolerance variations, allowing the rigid raceways to maintain their stability while adapting to variations in rail section positioning.
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 optimized mounting by compensating for tolerances and mechanical stress, ensuring a secure and gap-free connection between rail sections.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic spring element or a guide is provided between the two additional raceways, allowing the distance between them to be adjusted. This enables optimized mounting of the connector between the rail sections, as any mounting tolerances and tolerances in the rail sections themselves can be compensated for by the elastic spring element.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rail assembly for a sliding door fitting, said rail assembly comprising a first rail part (10a) with at least two guide tracks (12, 15) for movable guide elements (13, 16, 13', 16') and a second rail part (10b) with at least two guide tracks (12, 15) for movable guide elements (13, 16, 13', 16'), wherein between the first and the second rail part (10a, 10b) there is arranged a connector (20) with two auxiliary running tracks (21, 22) which bridge a gap between the first and the second rail part (10a, 10b), wherein, between the two auxiliary running tracks (21, 22), an elastic spring element (24, 24') is provided, via which the distance between the auxiliary running tracks (21, 22) is changeable. Assembly tolerances are easily compensated for using the elastic spring element, and the auxiliary running tracks can be assembled, optionally with prestress.