Sliding Door Vertical Seal Actuation Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door sealing systems face challenges in achieving an optimal vertical seal without requiring significant user effort or additional hardware, especially when integrating with sliding doors which lack the leverage of swiveling door wings.
Innovation Solution
A sliding door unit with a vertical sealing device integrated into the sliding door wing, featuring a holding profile rail, a pressing mechanism, and a sealing strip that is automatically actuated by a release agent when the door is closed, ensuring a tight seal without additional user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brush, lip or tube seals are used for vertical sealing in sliding doors, then sealing is achieved, but the sealing effectiveness is not optimal and additional seals on door frame or wall are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single vertical sealing device integrated into the sliding door leaf. The device integrates the holding profile rail, actuating mechanism, and sealing strip into one unified structure that performs both structural support and sealing functions, eliminating the need for separate seals on the door frame or wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical sealing device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support through the holding profile rail, enables automatic actuation through the integrated actuating mechanism, and performs the sealing function through the sealing strip. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components.
2Reliability
If a lowering mechanism with spring force is used to actuate the sealing strip, then the seal engages when closed, but significant user effort is required to press the release button
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical sealing device is actuated automatically through the triggering means that engages with the stationary activation unit when the sliding door leaf closes. The system uses the closing motion itself to trigger the actuating mechanism, eliminating the need for manual pressing of a release button by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strip is automatically actuated during the closing motion through the triggering means engaging with the activation unit. This preliminary automatic actuation ensures the seal is ready to engage before the door leaf is fully closed, reducing the effort needed at the final closing stage.
3Speed
If the sealing strip is raised when not in use, then it does not slow door leaf movement, but the door leaf may automatically reopen due to spring return force
Solution Approach 1:
The triggering means acts as an intermediary between the door leaf closing motion and the actuating mechanism. When the door leaf is closed, the triggering means rests against the stationary activation unit, which counteracts the restoring force of the spring and prevents automatic reopening, while allowing the sealing strip to remain actuated without slowing door movement.
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 provides an optimal vertical seal for sliding doors, eliminating the need for additional seals on the door frame or wall, while allowing for easy locking with minimal user effort, thus enhancing the sealing efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a force component parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sealing device acts on the triggering means and counteracts a restoring force, such as a return spring, of the actuating mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
A sliding door unit comprises a movable sliding door leaf (T) and a vertical sealing device (D) arranged in or on the sliding door leaf (T). The sealing device (D) includes a retaining profile rail (1), an actuating mechanism, and a sealing strip (3) arranged on the retaining profile rail (1). When the sliding door leaf (T) is closed, the sealing strip (3) is automatically movable relative to the retaining profile rail (1) by means of the actuating mechanism to provide a lateral seal. The sealing device (D) has a release element (40, 41, 42) projecting from the retaining profile rail (1) for automatically actuating the sealing strip (3).The sliding door unit has a stationary activation unit (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) with a contact surface (502, 512, 522, 532, 542, 552, 562) against which the release element rests when the door is closed and thanks to which a force component parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sealing device acts on the release element.