Vertical Door Ball Screw Drive System for Compact Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vertical door systems are cumbersome, heavy, and prone to catastrophic failures due to the use of counterweights and complex mechanisms like cables and hydraulics, which also increase installation time and require additional space.
Innovation Solution
A vertical door system utilizing a drive system with an elongated threaded rod powered by a motor, combined with pivotally attached blocks and guide tracks, allowing for compact, lightweight, and safer operation, along with a thermally-broken frame and seals for enhanced energy efficiency and pest prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mechanisms like cables, springs, and counterweights are used, then the door can be operated between opened and closed positions, but the system weight increases significantly and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes counterweights and complex lifting mechanisms (cables, springs, hydraulics) from the system, retaining only the essential threaded rod and block mechanism for door operation. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces system weight while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical lifting systems with a simplified threaded rod and block mechanism. The motor-driven threaded rod provides controlled linear motion to raise and lower the door, substituting heavy mechanical counterweights with a lightweight electromechanical system.
2Ease of operation
If conventional lifting mechanisms are used, then the door can be operated, but the system requires additional space and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes space-consuming components such as counterweights, cable drums, and hydraulic reservoirs. The streamlined mechanism with threaded rod and blocks requires minimal clearance space for operation, allowing installation in confined areas where conventional systems would not fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism components are arranged in a compact, nested configuration where the threaded rod passes through the blocks, and the guide tracks are positioned close to the door frame. This nesting of components minimizes the overall footprint and installation space requirements.
3Ease of operation
If conventional mechanisms are used, then the door can be operated, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases due to catastrophic failure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes failure-prone components such as cables that can snap, springs that can lose tension, and hydraulic systems that can leak. The remaining threaded rod and block mechanism has fewer failure points and provides more predictable, safer operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tracks and blocks are designed to provide controlled guidance and support during door operation. The threaded rod mechanism inherently provides controlled motion that prevents sudden drops or uncontrolled movements, cushioning against potential failures before they occur.
4Ease of operation
If conventional mechanisms are used, then the door can be operated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex subsystems including cable routing mechanisms, spring assemblies, hydraulic pumps and valves. The resulting system with motor, threaded rod, blocks, and guide tracks is significantly simpler in both design and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded rod serves multiple functions: it provides the driving force for door movement, acts as a guide for the blocks, and enables bidirectional motion through reversible rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device.
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 provides a quieter, more efficient, and safer alternative with reduced weight and installation time, offering improved thermal performance and energy efficiency while preventing air and light infiltration.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated threaded rod drivable by the operator via a gearing arranged between the operator and the threaded rod, the threaded rod being configured for operative connection with the operator for rotating the threaded rod about the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the one or more blocks comprises a drive nut configured to mate with threads of the threaded rod without rotating relative to the block or relative to the threaded rod
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical door system includes: a door having a door frame, the door frame having at least one frame section; an operator; two vertical supports configured to: (a) be installable on opposite sides of the door opening and (b) support the vertical door, at least one of the vertical supports having: a guide track on a surface of the vertical support facing toward the door opening; and a drive system having: an elongated threaded rod drivable by the operator via a gearing arranged between the operator and the threaded rod; and one or more blocks, each block comprising a guide track connecting portion that connects to a guide track so the connected block is freely movable along the guide track, each block having a through-bore for accepting the threaded rod so that the block is positioned on the threaded rod and is movable along the threaded rod.