Sliding Door Slow Close Assembly Impact Dampening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slow close mechanisms for sliding doors lack effective dampening capabilities to absorb impact forces from heavy and fast-moving objects, potentially leading to damage and discomfort during closure.
Innovation Solution
A slow close assembly incorporating a spring and a soft close latch, where the spring provides an outward force to bias the assembly into an outward position and dampen impact forces, while the soft close latch engages with the sliding door to absorb and distribute forces, offering both initial and secondary dampening mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing slow close mechanisms are used for sliding doors, then the basic closing function is achieved, but they lack effective dampening capabilities to absorb impact forces from heavy and fast-moving objects
Solution Approach 1:
The slow close mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a first dampening mechanism with a first damper for initial impact absorption, and a second dampening mechanism with a second damper for secondary impact absorption. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific aspects of impact force management, improving overall reliability without requiring a single overly complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The first damper is positioned to provide beforehand cushioning by absorbing the initial impact force when the sliding door first contacts the mechanism. This pre-cushioning prevents the full force of heavy, fast-moving doors from directly transmitting to the latch and frame, thereby protecting the system before secondary impacts occur.
2Ease of operation
If a spring provides outward force to bias the assembly into outward position, then the assembly returns to initial position after compression, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring acts as a counterweight mechanism, providing an outward force that biases the slow close assembly into its outward position. When the sliding door compresses the assembly, the spring stores energy and automatically pushes the assembly back to its initial outward position, enabling automatic reset without requiring manual intervention or additional complex actuation mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the soft close latch engages the protrusion to provide lateral force, then impact forces are distributed, but the lateral force must exceed the spring's outward force requiring precise force balancing
Solution Approach 1:
The soft close latch and protrusion are designed to dynamically interact during door closure. The lateral force provided by the slow close mechanism is configured to be greater than the outward force from the spring only during the critical engagement phase, allowing the latch to effectively distribute impact forces. The system transitions from a static force balance to a dynamic interaction where force relationships change during operation, reducing the need for precise manufacturing tolerances.
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 effectively reduces impact forces on sliding doors, enhancing safety and user experience by ensuring smooth and controlled closure, capable of accommodating various door configurations and designs without additional user adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is positioned at an end of the slow close assembly and provides an outward force onto the slow close assembly in an outward direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction
Implementation Method 2
Existing slow close mechanisms for sliding doors lack effective dampening capabilities to absorb impact forces from heavy and fast-moving objects
Implementation Method 3
The soft close latch is configured to engage the protrusion as the protrusion slides along with the sliding door in the lateral direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding door includes a frame and a slow close assembly. The frame is positioned along at least a portion of the sliding door and includes a protrusion configured to slide along with the sliding door. The slow close assembly is repositionable between an outward position and a compressed position. The slow close assembly includes a slow close mechanism, a spring, and a soft close latch. The slow close mechanism is laterally positioned within the slow close assembly. The spring is positioned at an end of the slow close assembly and provides an outward force onto the slow close assembly in an outward direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction. The soft close latch is configured to engage the protrusion as the protrusion slides along with the sliding door. The spring biases the slow close assembly into the outward position when the latch is not interfaced with the protrusion.