Sliding Door Track Joints for Silent Carriage Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door tracks for closets are typically manufactured in long, single pieces, making them difficult to handle, store, transport, and assemble, and joining sections leads to noise and 'jumping' issues due to carriage movement.

Innovation Solution

The system consists of sliding tracks made in sections joined by a specialized joint with a flat base and profiled tracks that allow coaxial roller bearings to transition smoothly, ensuring linear and silent sliding by detaching and re-engaging bearings at the joint areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If tracks are manufactured in long single pieces, then structural continuity is improved, but handling and assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural continuityVSAvoidhandling and assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The track is divided into multiple modular sections that can be easily handled, transported, and assembled. Each section contains standardized connection features that enable simple joining while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between continuity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If tracks are joined in sections, then handling and assembly ease is improved, but noise and jumping issues occur during carriage movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling and assemblyVSAvoidnoise and jumping
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A specialized connection element acts as an intermediary between track sections, providing a smooth transition surface that eliminates gaps and irregularities. This mediator ensures continuous support for the carriage bearings, preventing noise and jumping while maintaining the segmented structure's assembly advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection areas of the track sections are given special local quality with precision-machined surfaces and integrated connection features. These localized improvements ensure smooth carriage passage through joint areas, eliminating noise and jumping while preserving the overall modular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If tracks are made in sections, then storage and transport efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage and transport efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The track sections are designed as universal modules that can be used in various configurations and positions. The standardized connection features and interchangeable components reduce the number of unique parts needed, simplifying manufacturing while maximizing storage and transport efficiency through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables easy handling and assembly of tracks while preventing noise and 'jumping' issues during carriage movement, allowing for seamless sliding door operation.

Implementation Method 1

coaxial roller bearings (11, 12), able to slide on corresponding parallel tracks (21, 22)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3874107B1System for supporting and/or guiding doors for closets with sliding doors
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 EFFEGI BREVETTI
  • EP3874107B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3874107B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3874107B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System for supporting and/or guiding doors for closets with sliding door, wherein a door (1) carries above carriages (10) with horizontal axis bearings (X) sliding in a track (20) placed on a plane (2) of the item of furniture, and lower carriages (100) with bearings with vertical axis (Y) sliding in a track (200) placed below a plane (3) of the item of furniture, wherein at least one of said upper tracks (20) and lower tracks (200) is made in several sections (20, 20'; 200, 200') joined by respective joints (30; 300) and at least one of said upper carriages (10) and lower carriages (100) has a double bearing (11, 12; 110, 120), one of said bearings (11; 110) being normally engaged with a corresponding track or guide (21; 210), the other (12; 120) of said double bearings engaging with a corresponding track or guide (22; 220) at said joint (30; 300) producing the detachment of the bearing (11; 110) from the corresponding track or guide (21; 210).