Spring-Assisted Egress Door Opening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial and manufacturing settings, heavy metal doors often require excessive force to open due to pressure differentials, exceeding safe limits, and existing assistance mechanisms like levers are sometimes prohibited by safety codes, necessitating a passive door opening solution that reduces operator force and adapts to varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A spring-assisted door opening mechanism that automatically engages with the door opening sequence, adjustable for compensating force, and mountable to either the door or door frame, utilizing a housing, cylinder, rod, and coil spring to reduce the force needed to open the door by providing assistance between 10 to 50 pounds of force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If foot or hand operated levers are utilized to assist in door opening operations, then the force required to open the door is reduced, but the device is prohibited by safety codes because it requires two manual actions to operate the door
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-assisted mechanism automatically engages and provides assisting force during the door opening sequence without requiring additional manual actions from the operator. The spring is pre-loaded and automatically activates when the door is pulled or pushed, providing the necessary force to overcome pressure differentials and door weight, thereby meeting safety code requirements while reducing the force the operator must apply.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded and positioned in advance to automatically engage when the door opening sequence is initiated. This preliminary preparation ensures that the assisting force is already ready to activate at the appropriate moment during door operation, eliminating the need for separate manual activation steps and ensuring single-action operation as required by safety codes.
2Force
If a spring-assisted door opening mechanism is designed to provide automatic assistance, then the force required to open the door is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-assisted mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a mounting assembly that attaches to the door or door frame, a spring assembly that provides the assisting force, and a engagement mechanism that connects these components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance while maintaining automatic assistance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is designed to be universally applicable to various door types and configurations, with mounting options that allow installation on either the door or the door frame. The same basic spring-assisted mechanism can accommodate different door weights and pressure differentials through adjustable spring pre-load, reducing the need for multiple specialized designs.
3Manufacturing precision
If the spring-assisted mechanism is designed with fixed compensating force, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to varying pressure conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-assisted mechanism incorporates adjustable spring pre-load that can be modified after installation to accommodate varying pressure differentials and door weights. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized adjustment mechanisms and calibrated spring assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism allows for parameter changes in the spring pre-load force to adapt to different pressure conditions. By adjusting the spring compression or tension parameters, the system can be optimized for specific door weights and pressure differentials, providing both manufacturing precision through standardized adjustment procedures and adaptability to varying operational requirements.
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 spring-assisted mechanism effectively reduces the operator's force requirement to open the door, ensuring compliance with safety codes and adapting to different pressure conditions, making door operation safer and more efficient in pressurized environments.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring carried by a shaft of the first end of the rod and retained on the rod between the end cap and a surface of a metal plate
Implementation Method 2
the spring providing a door entry assistance force to lessen the force needed by an operator to open a door
Data Source
AI summary
A door opening spring assistance apparatus is set forth that will automatically apply a door opening assistance force using a combination of rods and coil springs. The release of the rods by the coil springs reduces the force required to set the door in motion.