Sliding Door Support Strip for Glass Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large insulating glass panes, especially triple panes, face challenges in uniform force transmission and tolerance compensation in sliding door arrangements with stationary support rollers, leading to uneven force distribution and potential glass breakage due to difficulties in controlling the adhesive layer thickness.

Innovation Solution

A plastic support strip is inserted between the surface element and the edge profile, extending along the edge profile's length, with a structured surface and varying width to ensure even force distribution and deformability, using a softer material with a Shore hardness of 60 to 80 for easy compression and adaptation to surface unevenness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a thick adhesive layer is used to compensate for height deviations of glass panes, then tolerance compensation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling adhesive layer uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidadhesive layer uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A support strip made of softer plastic material (Shore hardness 60-80) is introduced as an intermediary element between the edge profile and the glass pane. This support strip deforms under compression to accommodate height deviations of the glass panes, providing tolerance compensation without requiring a thick adhesive layer. The support strip acts as a mediator that absorbs dimensional variations while maintaining uniform force distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter of the support strip by selecting a softer plastic material with Shore hardness of 60-80. This parameter change enables the support strip to deform elastically under compression, allowing it to adapt to height deviations of the glass panes. The softer material property facilitates tolerance compensation through controlled deformation rather than relying on thick adhesive layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the edge profile directly supports the glass pane, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to uneven force distribution leading to glass breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidglass breakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support strip serves as an intermediary element between the edge profile and the glass pane, preventing direct contact that would cause point loading. This intermediary component distributes the compressive forces from the edge profile uniformly across the entire end face of the glass pane, eliminating stress concentrations that could lead to breakage. The support strip maintains structural simplicity while significantly improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If a hard plastic support strip is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to compensate for surface unevenness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport strip dimensional accuracyVSAvoidtolerance compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention selects a softer plastic material with Shore hardness of 60-80 for the support strip, changing the material parameter from hard to soft. This parameter change enables the support strip to deform elastically under compression, allowing it to adapt to height deviations and surface unevenness of the glass panes. The softer material provides both dimensional accuracy in manufacturing and adaptability in service through controlled deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution allows for uniform force transmission and effective tolerance compensation, enabling the use of large surface elements with stationary support rollers, reducing the risk of glass breakage and ensuring a secure connection between the surface element and edge profile.

Implementation Method 1

the support strip does not support the end face of the surface element over its entire surface... the support strip is softer and preferably has a Shor A hardness of 60 to 80. It can be easily pressed in, thus creating a thickness balance.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive and/or a sealing compound is arranged in areas in which the support strip does not support the end face of the surface element over its entire surface.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3219895B1Sliding door assembly and sliding leaf of a sliding door assembly
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 SCHUECO INTERNATIONAL KG
  • EP3219895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3219895B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3219895B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliding sash (10) for a sliding door assembly, in which support rollers (24) for the sliding sash (10) are stationary, comprising a surface element (11) onto which an edge profile (12) is mounted on at least one end face facing the support rollers (24). The sliding sash is characterized in that a support strip (15) made of plastic, extending in the longitudinal direction of the edge profile (12), is inserted between the end face of the surface element (11) and the edge profile (12). The invention further relates to a sliding door assembly with at least one bottom profile (20) in which support rollers (24) are stationary, and at least one such sliding sash (10) slidably guided on the support rollers (24).