Transverse Damping Device for Rail-Guided Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional damping devices for rail-guided door elements are often too long, limiting the opening width and requiring significant installation space, making them difficult to install, especially in confined spaces, and complicating the positioning of damping elements.

Innovation Solution

A compact damping device design featuring a receiving body that can be pushed into the guide rail, allowing the carriage to move into it, with a damping element and spring mechanism for precise positioning and braking, enabling flexible installation and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If conventional piston-cylinder damping elements are mounted in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, then the damping function is achieved, but the overall length increases and the opening width of the door opening is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall length of damping deviceVSAvoidopening width of door opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is rotated 90 degrees and mounted transversely to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. This dimensional change allows the damping function to be achieved while significantly reducing the overall length of the damping device in the longitudinal direction, thereby increasing the opening width of the door opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element is received within a receiving body that is integrated into the carriage structure. This nesting arrangement allows the damping component to be compactly housed within the existing carriage volume, further reducing the overall length and allowing the device to be pushed into the guide rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If damping elements are mounted in limited space, then installation space requirements are reduced, but exact positioning becomes extremely difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of damping element
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving body is designed with pre-established positioning features including a positioning surface and a positioning recess that mate together. This preliminary preparation of positioning mechanisms allows the damping device to be easily and accurately positioned when installed in the guide rail, eliminating the difficulty of exact positioning in limited spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving body acts as an intermediary component between the damping element and the guide rail. It provides a standardized interface with positioning features that simplify the installation process and ensure accurate positioning, while allowing the damping element itself to be compact and suitable for limited installation spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of moving object

If the damping device is made shorter to increase opening width, then the opening width is improved, but the damping element may not have sufficient space to function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall length of damping deviceVSAvoiddamping function effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is nested within the receiving body, which is integrated into the carriage structure. This nesting arrangement efficiently utilizes the available volume within the carriage, providing sufficient space for the damping element to function reliably while keeping the overall length of the damping device short.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

By mounting the damping element transversely rather than longitudinally, the available space within the carriage volume is more effectively utilized. This dimensional change allows the damping element to have sufficient functional space while maintaining a compact overall length of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 allows for a significantly shorter damping device that can be installed in any position, simplifying installation, maintaining the door's opening width, and ensuring precise positioning of door elements, while protecting the damping components from damage and ensuring safety.

Implementation Method 1

a spring being provided for pulling the carriage (4) with the door element into an end position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a damping element being provided for braking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2354407B1Dampening device for rail-guided door elements
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 WOELM GMBH
  • EP2354407B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2354407B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2354407B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device (1) has a retaining body (2) for fixing a damping element (3) and comprising an opening in which a carriage (4) is arranged in a movable manner. The retaining body has a rectangular, U-shaped or oval-shaped cross-section, where the damping device is mounted at a guide rail over the carriage with cam rollers. The retaining body has a housing (7) for the damping element and side parts (5, 6) that are inserted into the guide rail. The damping element has a spring that is connected with a cylinder or the retaining body and with a piston rod.