Spiral Door Flexible Tension Element Winding Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spiral and roller doors require significant space for drive mechanisms and are complex due to the need for large, dimensioned drives and vulnerable mechanics, especially when moving the door leaf against gravity into an open position.

Innovation Solution

A door design featuring a flexible tension element, such as a belt, attached to the leading edge of the door leaf, which pulls the door into a multi-layer winding position around a winding shaft, eliminating the need for a vertical force transmission unit on the side and allowing for a more compact and simpler drive mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a vertical force transmission unit (chain or toothed belt) is used to push the door leaf up against gravity, then the door can be moved into the open position, but significant space is required on the side of the door leaf

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce transmission capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement on door side

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of pushing the door leaf upward from below using a vertical chain or belt, the invention introduces the tensile force at the leading edge (top section) of the door leaf and pulls it upward. This inverts the traditional force application point from the bottom to the top, eliminating the need for side-mounted vertical force transmission units and significantly reducing space requirements on the door side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the vertical force transmission unit (chain or toothed belt) from the side of the door leaf. By introducing the flexible tensile element at the leading edge instead, the complex vertical force transmission mechanism is completely taken out from the door side structure, simplifying the overall design and reducing space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a telescoping arm with complex guide mechanism is used to introduce thrust force, then the door can be moved along a spiral path, but the drive and guide arrangement require large space and high torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespiral path following capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement for drive and guide

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the complex mechanical telescoping arm and spiral guide mechanism with a flexible tensile element that naturally conforms to the spiral path. Instead of using rigid mechanical components requiring large dimensions and high torque, the flexible element passively follows the spiral trajectory, substituting complex active mechanical guidance with simple flexible deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible tensile element acts as a flexible medium that can bend and conform to the spiral path without requiring rigid structural support. This flexible approach eliminates the need for dimensioned drives and complex telescopic units, significantly reducing the space required for the drive and guide arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Area of stationary object

If the door leaf is wound tightly into a multi-layer coil, then space is saved, but the risk of damage to the door leaf increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace for accommodating door in open positionVSAvoiddoor leaf integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by introducing the tensile force specifically at the leading edge of the door leaf, which is the section that advances during opening movement. This localized force application ensures that the door leaf is pulled uniformly into the winding position, preventing uneven stress distribution and reducing the risk of damage while maintaining compact winding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design reduces space requirements, enhances precision and reliability in moving the door leaf between open and closed positions, and reduces the risk of damage by spacing winding layers apart, allowing for a more efficient and space-saving door operation.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible tension element for pulling the door leaf into the multi-layer winding position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

pulls the door leaf from the closed position against gravity into the multi-layer winding position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3669045B1Door, in particular spiral door

Publication Date: 2022.06.29 SEUSTER

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a door (10), in particular a spiral door or roller door, comprising a flexible curtain or a plurality of profiled elements articulated to each other. The door comprises: a door leaf (20), which can be moved from a closed position into a multi-layer winding position in the course of an opening movement, a guide assembly (30) having a spiral guide track section (32) for guiding the opening movement in the region of the lateral edge (22) of the door leaf (20), and a flexible pulling element (40) for pulling the door leaf into the multi-layer winding position, which pulling element is attached to a portion (24) of the door leaf that is forward in the course of the opening movement.