Sliding Door Swing Interlock for Stable Full-Open Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ICU/CCU room doors lack a mechanism to prevent swing-out of slidable door panels unless fully open and to maintain door stability when swung out, and require manual unlatching and re-latching for swinging motion.
Innovation Solution
A door system with a swing interlock mechanism that allows the door panel to slide and swing only when fully open, featuring an interlock plate and rotational member to block sliding, a latch assembly for automatic re-latching, and a biasing mechanism for stable swinging, enabling intuitive one-motion unlatching and re-latching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door panel is allowed to swing out at any position, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but door stability and safety are worsened due to risk of accidental swinging and sagging
Solution Approach 1:
The door system dynamically changes its operational characteristics based on position. The interlock mechanism allows free swinging motion only when the door is in the fully open position, while maintaining rigid constraint during sliding operation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing high ease of operation (swinging) only when structurally stable (fully open), and maintaining stability during the sliding phase where accessibility is less critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock plate and guide rail notch are positioned to preemptively prevent swing-out motion until the door reaches the fully open position. The interlock block with rotational member creates a preliminary barrier that blocks swinging motion during the sliding phase, preventing accidental swinging before it can occur. This preliminary anti-action ensures door stability is maintained during the vulnerable sliding phase.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the door panel is constrained to slide only, then door stability is improved, but versatility and adaptability are worsened due to inability to swing open for greater access
Solution Approach 1:
The door system transitions from a static single-mode design to a dynamic multi-mode system. The interlock mechanism enables the door to adapt its motion characteristics: sliding mode for normal operation with high stability, and swinging mode when fully open for enhanced accessibility. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by providing both stability during sliding and versatility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The door system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both sliding and swinging capabilities within a single integrated mechanism. The interlock plate, guide rail with notch, and rotational member work together to enable the door to perform both linear sliding motion and rotational swinging motion, depending on position and operational requirements. This universality allows the door to adapt to different access needs while maintaining stability.
3Device complexity
If manual latching is used for swinging motion, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation is worsened due to requiring multiple separate actions for unlatching and swinging
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock block assembly merges the unlatching function and swing-enabling function into a single integrated mechanism. The rotational member simultaneously performs two functions: disengaging from the guide rail notch to permit swinging, and rotating to block the sliding path. This merging eliminates the need for separate unlatching and swinging actions, resolving the contradiction by maintaining mechanical simplicity while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational member of the interlock block serves multiple functions: it acts as a latch blocker during sliding, a swing permitter when rotated, and a slide blocker when positioned in the notch. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate mechanisms, maintaining low device complexity while enabling intuitive one-motion operation for both unlatching and swinging.
4Ease of operation
If the door system allows swinging at any position, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements are worsened due to need for alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically enables swinging only at the fully open position where alignment is naturally achieved. The interlock plate is positioned to align with the guide rail notch only when the door is fully open, eliminating the need for complex alignment mechanisms at intermediate positions. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by providing swinging capability where alignment is simplest, avoiding increased manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The door system uses its own sliding motion to automatically achieve the required alignment for swinging. As the door slides to the fully open position, the interlock plate naturally aligns with the guide rail notch through the sliding motion itself, without requiring external alignment mechanisms or complex positioning systems. This self-alignment approach maintains ease of operation while avoiding increased manufacturing precision requirements.
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
Ensures the door panel remains stable when swung out, prevents accidental swinging, and facilitates easy, automatic opening and closing, enhancing safety and convenience in healthcare environments.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member is configured to bias the rotational member toward the slide blocking position
Implementation Method 2
The interlock plate includes a downwardly extending guide slot configured to slidably receive the guide rail of the header member
Implementation Method 3
The rotational member of the interlock block assembly rotates to the slide blocking position and into the notch of the guide rail of the header member to prevent a sliding of the panel hanger member and the door panel
Data Source
AI summary
A door system includes a header having a guide rail that has a central portion having a notch. A panel hanger is slidably coupled to the header. A door panel has a handle end portion releasably coupled to the panel hanger and a pivot end portion pivotably coupled to the panel hanger. The panel hanger and the door panel slide in unison between a closed position and a fully open position along a longitudinal plane. An interlock plate is positioned to extend upwardly from the door panel, and has a downwardly extending guide slot that slidably receives the guide rail of the header. When the door panel is in the fully open position, the interlock plate is aligned with the notch of the guide rail of the header in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal plane to facilitate a pivoting of the door panel away from the longitudinal plane.