Thermally Broken Door Frame with Sliding Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing room doors face issues with deformation and condensation due to temperature variations, particularly when exposed to external climate changes and lacking a thermal break between interior and exterior faces, especially when metallic materials are involved.
Innovation Solution
A room separation element with a frame comprising a thermally broken plastic profile allowing relative movement between panels, incorporating thermal and sound insulation materials, and a metallic interface to mitigate thermal conductivity and expansion issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic materials are used for door facings to provide strength and durability, then the structural strength is improved, but thermal conductivity increases causing deformation and condensation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The door employs a composite structure combining metallic facings (for strength) with a plastic profile frame and insulating filling material (for thermal break). The plastic profile acts as a thermal barrier between the metallic exterior facing and interior facing, allowing each material to contribute its advantageous properties without the harmful effects of either alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The door frame is divided into separate components: a plastic profile forming the structural frame, and filling material positioned between the metallic facings. This segmentation creates distinct functional zones - the plastic profile handles thermal insulation while the metallic facings provide structural integrity, preventing thermal bridging through the entire door assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If panels are made movable to accommodate thermal expansion, then deformation is reduced, but the complexity of the door structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door design incorporates movable panels that can slide relative to each other within the plastic profile frame. This dynamic arrangement allows the panels to move independently in response to thermal expansion, preventing stress accumulation and deformation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of straightforward sliding mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal break is introduced between facings to prevent condensation, then condensation is eliminated, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic profile serves as an intermediary element positioned between the metallic exterior facing and interior facing. This plastic profile acts as a thermal break that prevents direct thermal contact between the two metallic surfaces, eliminating condensation by creating a thermal barrier while being relatively simple to manufacture and install as a separate component.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If insulation material is added to reduce thermal conductivity, then thermal insulation is improved, but the door thickness and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating filling material is positioned locally in the cavity between the metallic facings, specifically within the plastic profile frame. This localized insulation approach provides effective thermal break where needed (between the metallic surfaces) without requiring thick insulation throughout the entire door, thereby minimizing the increase in overall door volume while maintaining adequate thermal insulation performance.
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 solution effectively maintains optimal operation and prevents condensation by reducing thermal conductivity and accommodating temperature gradients, ensuring reliable door performance across varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the first part consists of a member with thermal break, and comprises a plastic profile
Implementation Method 2
the means allowing relative movement between the panels are located within the door and do not avoid expansion phenomena on the periphery of the frame
Data Source
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AI summary
The element has inner and outer metallic panels (5, 6) respectively turned towards interior and exterior of a premise, and coupled to a chassis which is formed of two parts (7, 12) movable with respect to each other. The movable parts are coupled together by a thermal bridge rupture unit. The rupture unit has two degrees of freedom along a plane parallel to the panels, and has a plastic profile whose one end is coupled with a guiding clearance (9) in a housing realized on one of the movable parts. An additional part acts as an interface between the rupture unit and an aluminum frame.