Viscous Fluid Cushioning Device for Sliding Shutters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door and shutter systems face issues with excessive force requirements, wear, and maintenance needs due to ineffective cushioning solutions, particularly with elastic compression devices and pistons, which limit their application to heavy-use furniture and prevent smooth operation with multiple shutters.

Innovation Solution

A single, adjustable, and interchangeable cushioning device featuring viscous fluid rotary braking devices and a double helical elastic traction spring, integrated into a cushioning box that can be applied to either side of sliding shutters, providing balanced braking and cushioning without requiring frequent maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic compression devices and pistons are used for cushioning, then the end travel of the shutter can be cushioned, but the device requires frequent maintenance and has limited life due to seal wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning effectivenessVSAvoiddevice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical piston and seal system with a viscous fluid braking device. The braking device uses a rotor rotating within a stator filled with viscous fluid, creating drag through fluid resistance rather than mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates seals and moving mechanical contacts that wear out, thereby extending device life while maintaining cushioning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs viscous fluid dynamics to create the braking effect. The rotor rotates within a stator containing viscous fluid, and the fluid's resistance provides the cushioning force. This hydraulic approach replaces mechanical friction-based systems with fluid-based resistance, reducing wear and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Device complexity

If a single cushioning device is applied to one bracket, then the device structure is simplified, but it cannot cushion the travel of multiple shutters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning device structureVSAvoidmulti-shutter applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning device is designed with a universal bracket mounting system that can be applied to any support bracket of sliding shutters. The same device structure can cushion the travel of multiple shutters by being mounted on different brackets, eliminating the need for different cushioning devices for different shutters while maintaining simple structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If normal traction springs are used, then the shutter can be pulled, but the force required increases at different gap positions and is not uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction forceVSAvoidshutter operation smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the elastic traction spring system with a viscous fluid braking system. Instead of using spring force that varies with compression, the system uses fluid drag that provides more consistent resistance throughout the shutter's travel, improving operational smoothness and force uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively regulates the travel of sliding shutters, reducing the force required for opening and closing, minimizing wear, and allowing operation with multiple shutters without obstruction, ensuring consistent performance and eliminating the need for scheduled maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

viscous fluid rotary braking devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous friction: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

double helical elastic traction spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8060983B2Device for cushioning an opening and closing movement of sliding shutters

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 BORTOLUZZI SISTEMI SPA

AI summary

A cushioning device for opening and closing of sliding shutters, particularly of sliding shutters for furniture, to be applied as a single item to each shutter or sliding partition, in order to be able to cushion an end part of their opening and closing movement. The cushioning device includes a cushioning box applied with brackets for support and sliding of the individual shutter; this box being equipped with two opposing braking devices of a rotary type, whose toothed hub directly meshes with a rack fixed to the box, each braking device being joined to its own slider guided by the box and being joined at one end by an elastic device with its opposite end joined to the other slider, both sliders being equipped with a hook for activating and deactivating the corresponding action of the final section of travel to be cushioned.