Sliding Door Lowering Track With Spring-Assisted Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door systems require excessive manual force to open heavy doors due to the weight of the door leaf, especially in the absence of power, and current solutions are cumbersome, costly, or inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A simplified opening support mechanism using a spring-loaded lowering mechanism that compensates for the door weight by storing energy during the closing motion, allowing for a consistent and reduced force requirement to open the door, eliminating the need for complex hand lever systems and electrical assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heavy door leaf (80-300kg) is used for hermetic sealing and radiation protection, then the door provides better sealing and protection, but the force required to open the door exceeds manual capability and requires complex drive systems or hand levers
Solution Approach 1:
The door leaf is lowered into the lowering track during closing, which pre-compresses the spring mechanism. This preliminary action stores energy that will be released during opening, reducing the force needed by the user. The lowering track is positioned and shaped to ensure the door naturally compresses the spring as it closes, preparing the system for easy opening without requiring additional power or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy weight of the door leaf, which is the source of the opening force problem, is converted into a beneficial stored energy source. As the door closes and enters the lowering track, its weight compresses the spring, storing potential energy. This same weight that makes opening difficult then becomes the mechanism that charges the energy storage device, which subsequently assists opening by releasing the stored energy.
2Ease of operation
If hand lever systems are used to reduce opening force, then the door becomes easier to open manually, but the device complexity and cost increase due to lever size, material requirements (stainless steel for hospitals), and protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hand lever system is extracted and replaced with a simpler spring-based energy storage mechanism. The lowering track and spring combination directly utilizes the door's own weight to charge the spring, eliminating the need for separate lever arms, pivot points, and associated hardware. This extraction simplifies the overall system while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The door leaf itself serves the dual function of both the object being moved and the mechanism for charging the energy storage device. As the door closes under its own weight, it automatically compresses the spring in the lowering track. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external levers or complex drive systems, as the door's own motion and weight are harnessed to prepare the opening assistance mechanism.
3Force
If drive systems are designed to accommodate heavy door weights, then the door can be opened with power assistance, but the motor, control unit, and power supply become larger, increasing dimensions, costs, and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on a powered drive system to overcome the full door weight during opening, the system performs preliminary action during closing by compressing the spring. This pre-stored energy reduces the force requirement during opening, allowing for a smaller, less complex drive system or even purely manual operation. The spring mechanism prepares the system in advance, reducing the burden on any powered opening mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the force parameter dynamically by utilizing the spring's progressive resistance. As the door closes and compresses the spring, the spring force increases progressively, storing energy that will be released during opening. This parameter change allows the opening force to be reduced from the full door weight to a much smaller value, eliminating the need for oversized motors and power supplies.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the door leaf is lowered into the lowering track during closing, then the spring is compressed and stores energy, but the door position changes and may affect seal effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The lowering track is designed with specific local geometry to ensure that while the door is lowered for spring compression, the seal contact points maintain proper positioning. The track profile is shaped so that only the necessary portion of the door moves downward to compress the spring, while the sealed edges remain properly aligned with the frame seals. This local quality control ensures energy storage without compromising sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the door position during closing, allowing temporary lowering into the track for energy storage, then returns the door to its proper sealed position. The lowering track design ensures that the door can move vertically for spring compression while maintaining horizontal alignment for effective sealing. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between energy storage and seal effectiveness.
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 mechanism ensures a consistent opening force of 220 Newtons or less, meeting safety standards and reducing the need for oversized drive systems, while minimizing wear and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A spring, in particular a coil spring, acts on the door leaf in the longitudinal direction of the track within the lowering mechanism
Implementation Method 2
The force released when the door enters the lowering track is absorbed by a power storage device, which also assists the opening movement
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Sliding door with an opening support (1, 1a), comprising at least one lowerable door leaf (10) suspended on a carriage (40), wherein the carriage (40) rolls on a track (5) by means of at least one roller (30), and a lowering guide (15) formed below the plane of the track and recessed in the track is provided, into which the at least one roller (30) of the carriage (40) enters the closing position of the door leaf while charging a power storage device (3, 63) and from which the roller (30) exits into the opening position while discharging the power storage device (3, 63) and raising the door leaf, wherein, for charging the power storage device (3, 63), the door leaf (10) or the carriage (40) is guided by a push unit lying in the direction of movement of the roller (30) and parallel to the direction of travel when moving into the lowering guide (45). (4, 64) acted upon, which also aligns the power storage unit parallel to the direction of travel (3,63) compressed.,