Sliding Pivot Door Assembly for Faster Product Display Filling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional product display units with multiple doors lack efficient mechanisms for easy access and filling, as they require complex locking systems and do not allow for easy expansion of the access opening for product placement and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
The product display unit features transparent, frameless doors that can pivot and slide along a guide assembly, allowing for displacement into a filling position without releasing a locking device, using retaining elements and guide carriages with rollers and springs to facilitate easy movement and secure positioning, and incorporating magnetic or spring-based retaining forces for secure fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional locking systems are used to secure doors in closed position, then door security is maintained, but access and filling operations require complex locking mechanisms and increased operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking function from a complex mechanical locking system and replaces it with simple retaining elements that engage with retaining recesses. The retaining elements are spring-loaded to provide automatic engagement, eliminating the need for complex locks while maintaining door security during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements automatically engage with retaining recesses when doors are in closed position, providing self-securing without manual intervention. When doors need to be opened or moved to filling position, the retaining elements automatically disengage, making the system self-serving and eliminating complex locking operations.
2Productivity
If doors are fixed in closed position with complex locks, then secure closure is achieved, but rapid displacement of doors for filling is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the door positioning system dynamic by allowing doors to be easily moved between closed position and filling position. The retaining elements provide temporary fixation in closed position but can be easily overcome to allow rapid door displacement for filling operations, enabling dynamic adaptation to operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements are pre-positioned to engage automatically when doors reach closed position, preparing the system for secure closure without manual locking. Similarly, they are pre-configured to disengage easily when filling operations are needed, eliminating the need for manual unlocking or complex disengagement procedures.
3Ease of operation
If physical force is applied to move doors against locking mechanisms, then door displacement is achieved, but physical exertion and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simpler retaining element mechanism that uses spring force instead of mechanical locks. This substitution eliminates the need for significant physical force to overcome locking mechanisms, as the spring-loaded retaining elements can be easily overcome by minimal manual force.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded retaining elements provide a counteracting force that automatically engages to hold doors in closed position. This counterforce is designed to be easily overcome during normal operation, allowing doors to be moved with minimal physical exertion while still providing secure closure when engaged.
4Reliability
If multiple retaining elements are used to secure doors, then secure positioning is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the retaining mechanism into multiple simple retaining elements distributed at different locations on the door. Each retaining element is an independent, simple spring-loaded component that engages with a corresponding retaining recess. This segmentation provides reliable multi-point securing while keeping each individual component simple and easy to manufacture.
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 solution enables easy and rapid access and filling of the display unit by allowing doors to be moved into a filling position without releasing existing locks, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing physical exertion required for door displacement, while maintaining secure door positioning.
Implementation Method 1
the guide carriages can feature one or more, in particular ball-bearing, running rollers, through which they are in contact with the guide assembly
Implementation Method 2
each of the retaining elements is subjected to a retaining force with the assistance of spring elements, which effect a fixing of the doors mounted in a displaceable manner in their respective operating position
Implementation Method 3
The product display unit can also feature retaining elements, with the assistance of which the doors mounted in a displaceable manner can be fixed in an operating position. In this case, the retaining force of the respective retaining element can be generated by means of magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A product display unit serves the purpose of the accommodation and presentation of products, which can include foodstuffs to be cooled. The product display unit includes a receiving space for products, a plurality of doors, which are mounted in a pivoting manner around a swivel axis between an open position and a closed position. At least a part of the doors is also mounted in a displaceable manner along a guide assembly.