Sliding Gate Drive Unit Decoupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection sliding doors face challenges in ensuring reliable operation and manual ease of use when the drive unit fails, due to high mechanical resistance and complex emergency closing devices that are costly and energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device that decouples the drive unit from the sliding door mechanics, allowing the door to move freely and reducing the size and energy consumption of the emergency closing device, enabling the use of various motors and gearboxes, and facilitating easier manual operation by eliminating the need to overcome drive unit resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drive unit with motor and gearing is used to move the sliding door, then the sliding door can be opened and closed reliably, but mechanical resistance from the drive unit prevents easy manual operation and requires a complex emergency closing device
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: the drive unit (motor with gearing) and the emergency closing mechanism. The coupling device acts as a switch that disconnects these parts during manual operation, allowing the emergency closing mechanism to function independently without needing to overcome drive unit resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device serves as an intermediary element between the drive unit and the emergency closing mechanism. It selectively connects or disconnects the sliding door from the drive unit, enabling manual operation when disconnected and powered operation when connected.
2Reliability
If the emergency closing device is dimensioned to overcome mechanical resistance from the drive unit, then reliable emergency closing is achieved, but the device becomes large, complex, and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency closing function is extracted from the drive unit system by decoupling it during emergency operation. The emergency closing mechanism operates independently on the sliding door without needing to interact with or overcome the drive unit's mechanical resistance, significantly simplifying its design.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling device disconnects the drive unit during emergency closing, then manual operation becomes easy, but the drive unit cannot provide powered operation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device dynamically switches between two states: connected (enabling powered operation) and disconnected (enabling easy manual operation). This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt its operational mode based on the situation, providing both powered and manual operation capabilities.
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 results in a smaller, less complex, and more energy-efficient emergency closing device, allowing for safer and easier manual operation of the sliding door, while enabling the use of a broader range of drive units and reducing energy consumption during normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating device (20) is formed by an electromagnet which, when actuated, generates at least one magnetic force with which it acts on the coupling device (18)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sliding gate (2) with at least one sliding door (4) supported on a running rail (8) via a running gear (10) and movably guided, a drive unit (6) provided with a wrapping element (12) and a drive motor connected thereto for the movable drive of the sliding door (4), a connecting element (16) for connecting the sliding door (4) to the drive unit (6), and a mechanical emergency closing device (14).To relieve the emergency closing device, it is proposed that the connecting element (16) has a movable coupling device (18) which, in a first operating position (A), transmits a drive force generated by the drive unit (6) and transferred to the wrapping element (12) from the wrapping element (12) to the sliding door (4), and in a second operating position, the drive connection between the wrapping element (12) and the sliding door (4) is interrupted, and that the coupling device (18) has an actuating device (20) by actuating the coupling device (18) at least in the first operating position (A).