Twisted Connecting Means for Door Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door operators often have connecting means that affect the design of the door and are prone to damage, as they are exposed and not well-protected.

Innovation Solution

A device with a twisted connecting means that is routed through a twisting section, providing rotational compensation and protection against damage, allowing for automatic actuation of a door leaf while maintaining a compact design and reducing mechanical stress on the connecting elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If connecting elements are routed externally between the door leaf and frame, then installation is simple and cost-effective, but the connecting elements are exposed to damage and detract from the door's appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidprotection against damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element is nested within the lever kinematic mechanism, specifically routed through the lever element. This protects the connecting element from external damage while maintaining installation simplicity, as the connecting element is integrated into the existing mechanical structure rather than requiring separate external routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lever element serves as an intermediary structure that carries and protects the connecting element. By routing the connecting element through the lever element, the mechanism provides both mechanical function and protection, eliminating the need for separate external cable routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If connecting elements are routed externally between the door leaf and frame, then installation is simple and cost-effective, but the connecting elements detract from the door's appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element is nested within the lever kinematic mechanism, specifically through the lever element. This conceals the connecting element from external view, improving aesthetic appearance while maintaining installation simplicity as the routing is integrated into the existing mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the connecting element is routed through a twisting section, then rotational compensation is achieved and mechanical stress is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational compensationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever element serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical lever arm for the kinematic mechanism and simultaneously serves as a protective conduit for the connecting element with its twisting section. This multi-functionality achieves rotational compensation without adding separate dedicated structures, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 twisted connecting means effectively protects against damage and reduces mechanical stress, ensuring reliable operation and extending the lifespan of the connecting elements while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting element has at least one twisted section for rotation compensation at the drive axis of rotation and/or the frame axis of rotation, which is designed to be twisted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3348764B1Device for at least partially automatic actuation of a door wing
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 DORMAKABA DEUT GMBH
  • EP3348764B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2a
  • EP3348764B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~3b
  • EP3348764B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for at least partially automatic actuation of a door leaf (2) with at least one drive (3) for actuating a door leaf (2) with a frame element (4) for guiding the door leaf (2), wherein the drive (3) has at least one drive pivot axis (3.1), wherein a lever kinematics (5) with at least one lever element (5.1) is mounted on at least one first bearing (6.1) so as to be rotatable about the drive pivot axis (3.1), wherein the drive pivot axis (3.1) is arranged on the drive (3) and can be driven by the drive (3), and wherein the lever kinematics (5) can be arranged on at least one second bearing (6.2) so as to be rotatable about a frame pivot axis (4.1), wherein the frame pivot axis (4.1) is arranged on the frame element (4) and is guided by the frame element (4), whereby the door leaf (2) can be guided in an open position (I) and/or a closed position (II), wherein the lever kinematics (5) has at least one connecting means (7) for transmitting electrical energy and/or data between at least one energy source (8.1) and an energy receiver (8.2) on the door leaf (2), characterized in that the connecting means (7) has at least one twisting section (9) for rotation compensation on the drive pivot axis (3.1) and/or the frame pivot axis (4.1), which is designed to be twisted.