Variable Header Track for Sliding Doors Mitigating Structural Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sliding doors and windows face operational issues due to vertical deflection of their frames caused by static or live loads and seismic events, leading to potential jamming or loss of lateral support, which affects their functionality.

Innovation Solution

A device with a fixed header and variable header or floor track, equipped with compression springs and adjustable mechanisms, allows for vertical movement compensation, ensuring the sliding panels remain operable by providing lateral support through extensions and automatic or manual adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed header track is used to guide sliding panels, then the sliding unit provides stable lateral support, but the sliding panel may jam or lose support when the building structure deflects vertically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability of sliding panelVSAvoidaccommodation of vertical deflection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The header track is designed to be vertically adjustable within the fixed header, allowing it to dynamically adapt its position to compensate for vertical deflections of the building structure. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the sliding unit to maintain proper operation across varying structural conditions without requiring complete redesign for each deflection scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows change in the vertical position parameter of the header track to accommodate structural deflections. By enabling the header track to move vertically and be repositioned, the system adapts to changing structural conditions while maintaining the sliding panel's operability, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the header track is made adjustable to compensate for deflection, then the sliding unit can accommodate vertical movement, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of vertical deflectionVSAvoidstructure of header track system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The header track system is segmented into adjustable components that can be independently positioned vertically within the fixed header. This segmentation allows for simplified adjustment mechanisms rather than requiring a completely complex reconfigurable system, as each segment can be adjusted separately to accommodate deflection while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of the header track is required, then the system can adapt to deflection, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of vertical deflectionVSAvoidadjustment of header track

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding unit incorporates mechanisms that enable automatic or self-adjusting features for compensating vertical deflections. The system can detect and respond to deflection conditions without requiring complex manual intervention, thereby maintaining adaptability while preserving ease of operation through automated adjustment capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 maintains the operability of sliding panels during vertical movements of the building structure, preventing jamming and loss of support, and accommodating both static and seismic-induced deflections without manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

one or more compression springs are placed between the fixed header and the variable header track, the one or more compression springs configured to allow movement of the variable header track in response to forces generated by the at least one sliding panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9163444B1Device for mitigating the effects of structure deflection on sliding doors and windows

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 GOLDBRECHT LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus is provided for maintaining functionality of at least one sliding panel of a sliding unit when a building structure to which the device is attached is subject to upward or downward movement. The method includes attaching a fixed guiding portion to the building and locating a variable panel track inside the fixed guiding portion, the variable panel track allowing a specified range of vertical movement of the sliding unit inside the fixed guiding portion in order to compensate for vertical movement of the building structure such that the at least one sliding panel is retained within the fixed guiding portion during the specified range of vertical movement, where either the fixed guiding portion is a fixed header and the variable panel track is a variable header track or the fixed guiding portion is a fixed floor channel and the variable panel track is a variable floor track.