Spiral Door Track Drive Layout for Low-Torque Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spiral doors with lifting devices fixed to the bottom panel are crash-sensitive, require high torque forces, and have visible drums, leading to increased maintenance costs and wear.
Innovation Solution
A door operation system with curved or spiral tracks and omega drive units, where the drive unit is positioned outside the tracks, using low-torque components and transmission elements to move the protective barrier efficiently, allowing for fast operation and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If lifting devices are fixed to the bottom panel, then the door can be operated with simple structure, but the door becomes crash-sensitive and requires high torque forces
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is segmented into two independent parts: the drive unit (motor) remains stationary at the top, while the lifting device (chain/belt with attachments) is divided into sections that can be independently replaced. This allows the bottom panel to be replaced without affecting the drive unit, reducing crash sensitivity while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixing the lifting device to the bottom panel (traditional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by fixing the drive unit to the stationary structure at the top and having the lifting device suspended from it. This reversal eliminates the crash sensitivity issue while keeping the overall structure simple.
2Reliability
If telescopic arms are extended to maximum length when door is closed, then the door can operate after bottom panel damage, but high torque forces are required to start opening
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic arms are made dynamically adjustable in length. When the door is closed, the arms can be retracted to a shorter position, reducing the moment arm and thus the torque required to start opening. When opening is needed, the arms extend to provide the necessary mechanical advantage. This dynamic adjustment allows operation after damage while reducing peak torque requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If visible drum is used to drive lifting devices, then the lifting mechanism can be implemented, but the appearance is compromised and maintenance access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is nested within the door structure itself. The drive unit is integrated into the top horizontal structure, and the lifting device runs through guides embedded in the door panels. This nesting conceals the mechanical components within the door's own structure, eliminating visible drums while maintaining full functionality.
4Device complexity
If guiding track is made straight in closed position, then the door structure is simplified, but the opening size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding track is designed with a curved path instead of a straight line. The track follows an arc that allows the door panels to swing through a larger angle, enabling bigger opening sizes. The curved track is integrated into the door structure, maintaining simplicity while expanding the operational envelope.
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 complexity, lowers operating forces, minimizes wear, and enables large opening sizes while being less crash-sensitive, with components less exposed to weather, facilitating easy replacement of damaged sections.
Implementation Method 1
the first transmission elements are omega drive units configured to mesh with the second transmission elements and to move the protective barrier along the second transmission elements
Data Source
AI summary
A door operation system (1) for a door (2) moves a protective barrier (3) between a rolled-in, open state and a rolled-out, closed state. First tracks (9a, 9b) are arranged on side frames (19a, 19b) at each side of the barrier. Curved or spiral tracks (13a, 13b) are arranged at each side of the barrier (3) to hold the barrier (3) in the rolled-in state. A drive unit (6) connected to the protective barrier (3) moves the barrier (3) between the rolled-out and rolled-in state and vice versa. The barrier (3) comprises first transmission elements (11a, 11b) connected to the drive unit (6). The curved or spiral tracks (13a, 13b) each a comprise second transmission elements (14a, 14b). The first transmission elements (11a, 11b) are omega drive units that mesh with the second transmission elements (14a, 14b) to move the protective barrier (3) along the second transmission elements (14a, 14b).