Sliding Gate Drive Compactness via Lateral Rack Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sliding gate drives face a space-intensive conflict between the motor and toothed rack when the motor is mounted within a profile, requiring a non-compact design.
Innovation Solution
A compact drive unit design is achieved by laterally and internally arranging the feed element, such as a toothed rack, on the running rail, allowing a small drive wheel to engage effectively, with the motor mounted on a dolly and connected via an angular gear to the toothed rack, and the running rail featuring an integrated elongated displacement element with serrated metal sheet construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor is mounted within the running rail profile, then the drive structure is integrated, but the required space for both motor and toothed rack increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed rack is repositioned from a conventional longitudinal arrangement to a lateral arrangement within the C-shaped profile of the running rail. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the motor and toothed rack to coexist in different spatial zones, reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The running rail profile is functionally segmented into distinct zones: the C-shaped profile provides structural support and housing, while the lateral area accommodates the toothed rack. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its space usage without interfering with the other, resolving the space conflict.
2Reliability
If a larger drive wheel is used to engage the toothed rack, then the drive mechanism is more robust, but the overall drive unit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the toothed rack laterally within the running rail profile rather than longitudinally, the patent creates sufficient clearance for a compact drive wheel to engage effectively. This lateral arrangement optimizes the engagement geometry, allowing a smaller drive wheel to achieve the necessary mechanical advantage and reliability.
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 arrangement results in a space-saving, effective drive mechanism that minimizes material usage and allows for a smaller, more cost-effective motor and running rail, while maintaining efficient power transmission and protection from environmental influences.
Implementation Method 1
The motor can drive a toothed wheel via an angular gear, which is connected to a toothed rack in order to drive it forward.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sliding gate (1) comprising a guide rail (2) with an elongated feed element such as a rack (3) and a motor (4) which is connected to a drive means such as a gear (5) which interacts with the feed element to move the guide rail (2), wherein the feed element is arranged laterally on the inside of the guide rail (2).