Sliding Sash Opening Support With Spring Pretensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding door systems, particularly lift-and-slide doors, face high operating forces due to increased weight and complexity, making manual operation difficult and inefficient, especially when opening and closing.
Innovation Solution
A sliding door system with an integrated opening support device that pre-tensions a spring during the closing process, allowing for reduced operating forces by using the stored energy to assist the opening motion, with a gearbox mechanism to optimize force distribution and minimize mechanical stress on the sash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tension spring is used to assist opening by raising a ramp, then the opening process is facilitated, but the closing process becomes considerably more difficult due to high tensioning forces
Solution Approach 1:
The opening support device pre-tensions the spring during the closing movement of the sliding sash, storing energy in advance. When opening is initiated, this pre-stored energy is released to assist the opening process, eliminating the need for high forces during closing while providing assistance during opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The total displacement path is divided into two distinct segments: a spring tension travel during closing where the spring is pre-tensioned, and a support travel during opening where the stored spring energy assists the opening process. This segmentation allows the spring to perform different functions at different stages, reducing the peak force requirement.
2Reliability
If multi-pane glazing with wide rebates and optimized seals is used to improve thermal and sound insulation, then insulation properties are enhanced, but the weight of the sliding leaf increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-based opening support device acts as a counterweight system, storing potential energy during closing and releasing it during opening to compensate for the weight of the heavy multi-pane sliding leaf. This mechanical energy storage and release mechanism effectively counteracts the gravitational force on the heavy sash, making operation feasible despite the increased weight from improved insulation components.
3Force
If the spring tension travel is made long to reduce operating force during opening, then the reduction in operating force is maximized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening support device is integrated into the existing sash frame structure, merging the spring mechanism with the structural elements of the sliding sash. This integration allows the spring to be pre-tensioned over a long distance during closing using the natural movement of the sash, while minimizing additional components and complexity in the overall device design.
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 system reduces the required operating force for opening and closing the sliding sash, ensuring compliance with barrier-free construction standards and enhancing user convenience while maintaining structural integrity and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The opening support device (100) has a spring as a force and/or torque storage device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
A sliding door, in particular a lift-and-slide door (1), which can be installed in a vertical orientation in a building opening, wherein the sliding door, in particular the lift-and-slide door (1), comprises at least the following: a fixed frame (2) in which at least one sliding sash (3) is slidably guided, wherein the at least one sliding sash (3) has a sash frame (5) into which a surface element (6) is inserted, and a device for opening support (100) of the at least one sliding sash (3), is characterized in that: - the device for opening support (100) is designed to pre-tension the spring during the closing of the sliding sash (3) over a spring tension travel, - the total displacement travel (sF) of the sliding sash (3) in the opening direction is a multiple of the support displacement travel (sFöU) of the sliding sash (3) over which it is supported by the device for opening support (100),and - that the opening support device (100) is designed such that the reduction in the operating force required to open the sliding sash (3) (ΔFFö) by using the opening support device (100) over the support displacement path is always greater than the increase in the operating force required to push the sliding sash (3) back from the open position to the closed position (ΔFFs) over the spring tension path.