Thermally Decoupled Guide Rail for Sliding Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally insulating guide rails for sliding doors and wings face issues with uneven weight distribution leading to deformation and operational safety concerns, and are limited to use with roller bearings on the underside, lacking versatility and efficient thermal insulation.
Innovation Solution
A guide rail design featuring two side elements and an intermediate element made of poorly conducting material, forming a recess to guide movable parts without direct contact, reducing thermal bridges and allowing use with different guiding mechanisms, including rollers and sliding pieces, while maintaining thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a thermal break is designed to support sash weight with rollers on the underside, then thermal insulation is improved, but the structure is limited to specific roller bearing configurations and may deform under uneven weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is divided into separate side elements that do not contact each other, with the intermediate element providing thermal decoupling. This segmentation allows the structure to support various wing configurations while maintaining thermal insulation, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail design with non-contacting side elements and intermediate thermal insulation can accommodate multiple types of movable parts (rollers, sliding pieces, etc.) and wing configurations. This universal design eliminates the limitation to specific roller bearing configurations while preserving thermal insulation benefits.
2Stability of the object's composition
If side elements are designed to contact each other for structural support, then structural stability is improved, but thermal bridges are created between insulated spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate element acts as a mediator between the two side elements, providing thermal decoupling while allowing the side elements to maintain their structural positions. This intermediary component prevents direct thermal contact between side elements while preserving structural stability for guiding movable parts.
3Temperature
If multiple separate components are used for thermal insulation and guidance, then thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail combines the guidance function (side elements) and thermal insulation function (intermediate element) into a single integrated component assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate parts compared to using distinct guidance mechanisms and thermal insulation components, while maintaining both functions effectively.
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 enhances thermal insulation, reduces part complexity, and allows for cost savings by using identical side elements, improving operational safety and versatility across various applications.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate element that also extends along a predetermined travel path and is made of a poorly thermally conductive material. It is arranged between the two side elements and is preferably attached to the side elements on two opposite, away-facing sides
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The guide rail (100) has two side elements (130) extending along a preset traverse path and arranged at a distance to each other. An intermediate element (120) extending along the traverse path, is formed from a poor heat conductive material and arranged between the side elements. The side elements form a recess together with the intermediate element, where the recess is formed to guide a movable wing (2) i.e. sliding wing, along the traverse path and turned towards the wing. A roller (6) is guided on a running rail (110). An independent claim is also included for a wing system comprising a guide rail.