Stepless Sliding Door Alignment via Telescopic Rod Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding door systems create a 'step' when closed, as the front panels of the doors are not in the same plane, which is aesthetically undesirable and functionally inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A stepless sliding door system is designed using a telescopic rod with a tube and two shafts pivotally connected to vertical poles, along with a hinge connecting the tube to the chassis, and an electric motor for automated sliding, combined with gyroscopic rail-carts and ball bearings to ensure smooth operation and alignment of doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional sliding door systems are used with simple parallel sliding mechanism, then the device complexity is low, but the front panels of the doors do not align in the same plane when closed, creating a step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transverse rod movable between horizontal and inclined positions. During closing operation, the transverse rod dynamically changes from horizontal to inclined, causing the doors to converge and align their front panels in the same plane when closed, eliminating the step while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The door system is segmented into multiple functional components: doors, vertical poles, transverse rod, and chassis. The transverse rod itself is segmented into a tube and two shafts that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall alignment objective
2Shape
If a telescopic rod with tube and shafts is used to achieve door alignment, then the front panels align in the same plane, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple components into the telescopic rod assembly. The tube and two shafts are pivotally connected to form an integrated unit that combines positioning, alignment, and convergence functions. This merging reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms while achieving the alignment objective
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic rod serves multiple functions: it connects the vertical poles, provides the inclined plane for door convergence, and enables both the opening and closing operations. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system while achieving complex alignment requirements
3Ease of operation
If manual sliding operation is used, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation is reduced for heavy doors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an electric motor that drives the door sliding operation. The motor is connected to the chassis or rail-cart system, providing automated power assistance that makes operation easy while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The door system is designed to be self-servicing through the automated motor operation. Once the motor is activated, it automatically performs the sliding operation without requiring continuous manual intervention, making the system easier to operate while keeping the control mechanism simple
4Reliability
If fixed rail-carts are used on rails, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is reduced due to rail deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rail-carts gyroscopic rather than fixed. The rail-carts can dynamically adjust their position and orientation on the rails, allowing them to accommodate rail deformations and maintain stable roller contact. This dynamic adaptation improves reliability while keeping the overall system relatively simple
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a stepless sliding doors system, comprising: two sliding doors (10), at least one of them comprising: two vertical poles (30); means (50) for rotating each of the vertical poles (30); to each side of the vertical poles (30) is firmly connected a hand-connector (36); each of the hand-connectors (36) is pivotally connected to a rail-cart (18) having two rollers (42); each of the rail-carts (18) comprises a horizontal hinge (58) disposed between the rollers (42), and a vertical springy hinge (70), for applying pulling or pushing force of the rollers on a rail thereof, thereby allowing placing the sliding doors of the system in the same plane when in the closed state of the doors, and shifting the doors one along the other in the open state thereof, and additionally preventing the wheels to deviate from a rail in the case of slight deformations.